Income Dynamics and Housing Allowances

In this project, we aim to supplement the knowledge of the role non-taxable incomes play in the budgets of low-income receivers of housing allowances.

Housing allowances aim to help vulnerable families and individuals achieving and maintaining better quality housing than they otherwise would have been able to. It should stimulate accessibility to decent housing. Moreover, housing allowances are intended to have an important role in the combat of poverty. 

Since 2010 the number of receivers have declined substantially, and among them there is an increasing number of families and individuals with very low taxable incomes. Housing allowances are granted on the basis of housing expenses and taxable incomes.

In this project, we aim to supplement the knowledge of the role non-taxable incomes play in the budgets of low-income receivers of housing allowances. In particular we will study income dynamics and the interplay between the entitlement based housing allowances and social assistance which (at least in principle) is granted on the discretion of social workers.