Exploring how a third housing sector initiative can contribute to the challenge of housing affordability in Oslo

Abstract

Rising housing prices have been challenging to certain groups in the population of Oslo. Research has shown that the increase in wages has not been able to keep up with the increase in housing prices in Norway, especially in Oslo, the city with the highest increase in housing prices compared to other cities in Norway. This study aims to determine if initiatives of the third housing sector, such as OsloBolig, can help with the challenge of housing affordability for certain criteria of people in Oslo called the in-betweeners. Based on the review of secondary data, this research is a case study about OsloBolig in Oslo, focusing on in-betweeners that are first-time buyers. Thus, the secondary data is from Oslo Municipality’s website on their initiative of OsloBolig, and articles that focus on housing affordability. The results indicate that there is an urgent need for projects with a higher number of housing units launched through OsloBolig. This research has illustrated how OsloBolig can contribute to the challenge of housing affordability for in-betweeners that are first-time buyers through discussion of the project Østensjøporten and through highlighting the importance of developing and innovating the third housing sector initiatives.