Affordable living and housing shortage are both topics which do not only affect the low-income households. Rather, they have long reached the middle class. Following the financial crisis of 2008, rent and apartment prices in urban areas have substantially risen, making sustainable living increasingly fragile.

The counseling and support of people affected by housing shortage demonstrate that clients need to navigate through an “information jungle” to achieve a sustainable living situation. Social institutions such as the association “Verein Wohnen” aim to support clients by offering knowledge and strategies to help them find and keep living space. Long-term and affordable living offers safety and is therefore the foundation of successful living. 

In our research, we draw on the practice of counseling and support of people who are at risk of losing their accommodation or have already lost it and are looking for affordable living space. In a first step, we identify the obstacles faced by people affected by housing shortage. Then, we research practice projects and collect experiences in the field of counseling. Finally, we develop approaches, methods, and settings to consult those affected preventively and more effectively based on best-practice examples and field experiences.