The Banks current role in national housing policy

There are three principle agents which cooperate in providing housing for the Norwegian population.

The national government
Sets goal, proposes housing laws and regulations, disseminates information and provides funds for loans, grants and housing allowances through the Norwegian State Housing Bank. The size of funds budgeted for loans through the Housing Bank has a great deal of influence on the number of homes built each year.

Municipal authorities
plan the local housing structure as well as neccesary infrastructure for housing construction and rehabilitation (housing lots, sewage, water, etc.). Municipal authorities are responsible for ensuring that disadvantaged groups are provided with adequate housing.

Private firms and organizations
(including the housing cooperatives) are responsible for the actual building, rehabilitation and management of the housing stock. The Norwegian State Housing Bank normally finances 60-70% (maximum 80%) of the cost of a home. Private credit institutions often finance costs which exceed the Housing Bank's loan and the purchaser's available savings and are thereby responsible for determining the credit worthiness of a housing project and the debtor. Private credit institutions also finance homes that are larger and/or more luxurious than those which the Norwegian State Housing Bank finances.

Stability in the housing market and the building industry, as well as the provision of adequate housing for the entire population, is dependent on the cooperative efforts of these three agents.

Main office
The Norwegian State Housing Bank
Box 824 Bedriftssenter
N-3007 Drammen
Norway

Telephone: +47 32 26 26 00
Fax: +47 32 26 27 00
E-mail: post@husbanken.no