Czech government considers widening scope of housing support law

The Czech government is set to deliberate on expanding eligibility under the Housing Support Act. Currently, households earning up to 1.43 times the subsistence or “minimum living standard” qualify for assistance. A proposal now under review aims to raise that threshold to 1.6 times to extend support to working families, pensioners, and people with disabilities.

According to government documents, the proposed adjustment would bring relief to vulnerable groups—such as single working mothers in lodging houses, retirees receiving pensions just above CZK 10,000, and individuals receiving third-degree disability pensions—who are currently excluded by the tighter limit . Experts associated with the “For Housing” initiative argue the current coefficient excludes up to one-third of those in housing distress, a scenario the adjustment seeks to mitigate.

However, the timing of the debate presents challenges. With early October parliamentary elections approaching and no sessions scheduled over the summer—and with the chamber undergoing renovations—debate before then is unlikely. Discussions may resume in September if parliament convenes.

For those concerned about affordability in a broader policy context, the OECD has previously noted that households with “residual incomes” below 1.6 times the subsistence threshold are particularly vulnerable to housing cost burdens, signaling that this proposed limit aligns with international definitions of housing need.