Evaluation Perspectives is a Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) publication series prepared by the CEB’s Office of Evaluation (EVO) aimed at disseminating knowledge and evidence-based learning on contemporary topics related to the CEB’s social development mandate from an evaluation perspective.

The first issue of the series is dedicated to the theme of housing. Access to housing remains a critical societal issue in many CEB member countries due to a variety of factors including a growing urban population, surging housing prices, and urban transformation trends which exacerbate social inequalities. The 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UN) in September 2015 both address housing: SDG 11 is aimed at creating inclusive and sustainable cities and communities, and defines “access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing” as a core target.

The financing of housing for lower-income and vulnerable groups has been a distinguishing feature of the CEB’s mandate since the Bank’s inception in 1956. The evaluations of CEB-financed social housing projects, including a multi-year evaluation cycle completed in 2019 focusing on housing for vulnerable groups, brought to light a number of valuable lessons which, if considered in the design of future projects, may enhance the social impact of housing operations.