This study begins with a descriptive micro-data analysis of European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) data for 2016 and 2020, focusing on the distribution of tenant subsidy systems and affordability indicators (housing cost overburden rate and payment arears). The year 2020 (instead of 2021) was selected for data availability: it was the last year that the crucial variable ‘imputed rent’ was included in yearly EU-SILC modules. The year 2016 was chosen to facilitate a con-siderable time range, as affordability figures do not tend to change strongly in the short term. In ad-dition, explanatory regression models are analysed on the impact of housing allowances and social housing on affordability, using EU-SILC data.
In the next chapter the different policies in respect of social housing and housing allowances in the six countries are discussed. Chapter 3 presents the method and data. Chapter 4 discusses the distribution of tenants and their housing subsidies, followed by the results for the affordability indicators and the regression analyses, and some final conclusions.

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