Introduction to the Special Issue: “New Perspectives on Public and Social Rental Housing in the Nordic Countries, part one”

Abstract

In this introduction, we briefly present the idea behind this special issue on public and social rental housing in the Nordic countries. We emphasize that empirical knowledge and theoretical understanding of key aspects of social and public housing is crucial for policymakers and others seeking to grasp the challenges, opportunities, and dilemmas in the field of housing in the northernmost part of Europe. In the introduction, we also outline the cross-national varieties in the Nordic region when it comes to social and public rental housing, suggest a broad working definition of social rental housing, and summarize the main points of the articles published in part one of the special issue. As social scientists interested in comparative studies and international collaboration, we regard this special issue as a small step or even a new beginning for Nordic housing research that has comparative ambitions or is at least aware of theoretical debates and significant developments in neighbouring countries.