The People's Home
What does it mean?
Folkhemmet (The People's Home) is the political concept that defined the Swedish welfare state during the 20th century, with profound consequences for housing policy. Per Albin Hansson, Social Democratic prime minister, formulated the vision in 1928: Sweden should be like a good home, where no one is a stepchild and no one is a favourite, where everyone takes responsibility and shares burdens. Housing was central to this vision — every citizen should have the right to a modern, hygienic home at reasonable cost.
The housing policy of folkhemmet was put into practice through government housing loans, public housing companies, rent regulation, and the million-programme. During the post-war era, Sweden largely succeeded in eliminating housing poverty and overcrowding. Critics have pointed to folkhemmet's paternalistic tendencies and that it led to uniformity in urban planning. Today, the ideas of folkhemmet live on in the debate — particularly the question of whether housing should be a right or a market commodity.
Key Points
- Per Albin Hansson formulated the vision in 1928 — society as a good home
- Housing as a fundamental social right, not a market commodity
- Implemented through state loans, public housing, rent regulation, and the million-programme
- Largely succeeded in eliminating housing poverty in the post-war era
- Lives on in debates about housing's role in the welfare state
Practical Tip
Understanding folkhemmet helps you navigate the Swedish housing debate. Many of today's systems — housing queues, utility-value rent, public housing — have their roots in this vision. When politicians debate housing, it often centres on how much of this vision should be preserved versus reformed.
Based on content from Bofrid's Knowledge Bank