Subsidised Housing in Switzerland: Conditions of Access

Subsidised Housing in Switzerland

In the face of pressure on the property market, subsidised housing plays an essential role for low-income households. The legal framework rests on federal and cantonal foundations that define the conditions of access, income scales and tenant obligations.

The Federal Framework: The Housing Encouragement Act (HEA)

The Federal Act on the Encouragement of Affordable Residential Construction (HEA, SR 842) constitutes the federal basis for social housing. It aims to promote the construction of affordable housing, primarily through:

1. The granting of sureties and loans to non-profit building developers
2. Support for housing cooperatives
3. Encouragement of home ownership for modest-income households

The Federal Housing Office (FHO) is responsible for applying this act. It manages the revolving fund in favour of non-profit housing construction.

Cantonal Legislation: The Vaud Example (LAAL)

Each canton supplements the federal framework with its own legislation. In the canton of Vaud, the Housing Support Act (LAAL) governs subsidised housing. This act provides for:

1. Construction subsidies for social housing
2. Individual housing allowances for low-income tenants
3. A rent control system for subsidised housing

Conditions of Access

To benefit from subsidised housing, the following conditions generally must be met:

Income conditions: the household's gross income must not exceed a certain ceiling, set by cantonal scales. These scales take into account the size of the household and the locality. For example, in the canton of Vaud, income ceilings vary according to the geographical zone and the number of persons in the household.

Wealth conditions: the household's net wealth is also taken into account. Excessive assets exclude access to subsidised housing, even if income is modest.

Residence conditions: most cantons require a minimum period of residence in the canton or municipality. This condition is designed to reserve subsidised housing for long-term residents.

Household size conditions: the housing allocated must correspond to the size of the household. A four-room apartment will not be allocated to a single person, and vice versa.

Application Procedure

The procedure varies by canton and municipality but generally follows these steps:

1. Registration with the municipal or cantonal housing service
2. File preparation: identity documents, income certificates, proof of domicile, extract from the debt collection register
3. Assessment: verification of eligibility conditions by the competent authority
4. Waiting list: due to high demand, candidates are generally placed on a waiting list ranging from a few months to several years depending on the municipality
5. Allocation: when a dwelling becomes available, it is offered to the candidate at the top of the list who meets the criteria

Tenant Obligations

The tenant of subsidised housing is subject to particular obligations:

1. Annual income declaration: the tenant must communicate their income each year to the competent authority
2. Subletting prohibition: subletting is generally prohibited or very strictly regulated
3. Obligation to vacate: if income permanently exceeds the ceiling, the tenant may be required to vacate within a reasonable period

Remedies in Case of Refusal

A candidate whose application is rejected may challenge the decision through administrative appeal. It is advisable to carefully check the grounds for refusal and seek advice from a tenants' association (ASLOCA) or a legal aid service.