Annual reports

Presentation of the Housing Bank

The Norwegian State Housing Bank was established in 1946, with the construction of social housing and post-war restoration as its main objectives. Social housing, the environment, sustainable development and building styles are the Housing Bank’s priorities for the future.

Until 1996, loans were provided with substantial interest subsidies for the individual borrowers. Since 1996, loans have been granted with market-based interest rates and no interest subsidies. However, the confidence that the Norwegian State has in the loan market has led to interest on loans being less than in the remainder of the interest rate market.

Satisfactory housing for everyone
The construction loan has been the main tool for achieving satisfactory housing. In 1999, the one millionth dwelling was financed from a construction loan. Improvement loans, loans for nurseries and other environment initiatives have also been important, general loan schemes.

The person-oriented, selective loan schemes aimed at the disadvantaged have gradually formed a greater part of the Bank’s activity. Until 2003, the most popular schemes were the first home loan and the purchase loan. In 2003, the first home loan and purchase loan were replaced by the start loan.

The Housing Bank also administers a number of grant schemes. Housing allowances are the most important of these, and this scheme enables satisfactory housing for more than 100,000 families. A regionalisation of the housing allowance was carried out in 2002 and has, among other things, led to a strengthening of this key instrument. Other important grant schemes administered by the Housing Bank include the first home grant and compensatory grants for care residences and nursing homes.

Annual report 2007
Annual report 2006
Annual report 2005                                                                                                                                  
Annual report 2003
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