Problem addressed

Rock the Block redefines housing affordability at the local scale, by employing a series of technical-energy efficient, aesthetic, circular economy and participatory interventions and tools, in order to pilot policy solutions with local communities. It promotes community engagement, social cohesion, and local empowerment, transforming housing blocks into vibrant, inclusive spaces. The project aims to reduce urban decline, foster active citizenship, and improve residents’ quality of life through participatory affordable solutions on housing.

Innovative solution

Rock the Block employs multifamily housing blocks of flats (“polykatoikia”) as the housing intervention unit for creating affordable housing solutions. The overall aim is to offer multi-level innovation solutions and thus improve housing and living conditions, by enhancing communities of mutual support, solidarity and institutional coverage. The key innovation solutions lie on the re-conceptualisation of affordability through interventions that touch upon technical, aesthetic and energy efficient aspects, and circular economy and participatory tools to engage local communities and set them in collaboration.

Key results and benefits

The establishment of the Housing Office and the Co-Living Hub, two municipal structures that are already established and will play a desicive role in the Municipality of Egaleo’s housing policy after the project ends. Both Municipal structures are expected to effect transferable impact to other European cities as well, especially the three transfer partners, i.e. the Municipalities of Paris, Napoli and Józsefváros (Budapest). 

Potential for mainstreaming

Rock the Block offers valuable potential for mainstreaming affordable housing solutions in European cities. Beyond economic affordability and the introduction of affordable rent in beneficiary blocks, affordability is being piloted through community/participatory solutions and energy efficiency, coupled with smart circular economy tools and green solutions. These multiple dimensions not only ameliorate co-living for beneficiary households, but most importantly further our understanding of what affordability may look like through integrated tools and pathways to renovation interventions that engage local communities and introduce environmental friendly and green solutions. Key mainstreaming potential, best practices and policy tools on housing affordability will be applied in the three transfer partner cities, namely the Municipalities of Paris, Napoli and Józsefváros (Budapest).