Advancing Policies Against Speculation in Housing Investment in Favour of the Social Function of Housing

This event will address the detrimental effects of housing financialization and speculative investment on neighbourhoods and cities worldwide. These practices contribute to the unaffordability of housing by driving up rents, as they prioritize short-term, luxury, and tourist-oriented accommodation over long-term residential use. A key focus of the event will be the importance of regulating such practices to preserve housing affordability and avoid displacement. We will share impact analyses to illustrate the effect of finance in housing globally and explore European policy and case studies to illustrate the potential of regulation in terms of investment in mitigating these issues. The event will begin with an opening and a global perspective from Habitat International Coalition (HIC). This will be followed by an exploration of the impact of housing financialization in the Global South, specifically in Kinshasa, as studied by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). Next, we will examine anti-speculation measures within housing investment, focusing on EU policies presented by The Shift. Finally, the event will present local initiatives aimed at curbing speculative real estate purchases in Spain, with insights from Observatori DESCA.

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