The National Real Estate Resource accelerates investment implementation and develops new housing policy tools. The institution announces donation of approx. 4 thousand apartments in 2026, but the key element of the strategy is to be the development of Social Rental Agencies (SAN). This is a solution that is intended to mobilize private housing resources and support people with the so-called rent gap.
Social Rental Agencies are a relatively young instrument – they have been operating in the Polish legal system since 2021. Their role is to connecting private landlords with tenants who do not qualify for public housing but cannot afford the commercial market.
The model is simple: SAN leases an apartment from the owner – usually for five years – guaranteeing stable rent, income tax exemption and return of the premises in undeteriorated condition.. On the other hand the tenant receives a premises below the market price, often with the possibility of additional payments under the “Mieszkanie na start” program.
— SAN is a win-win tool. The owner has a certain income and security, and the tenant has access to a cheaper apartment – says Łukasz Bałajewicz, president of KZN.
Currently operating in Poland 14 such agencies with approximately 350 apartments. The scale is small, but the institution wants to change it quickly.
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KZN plans: 30 municipalities and intensive support for SANs
It is supposed to be a key project Social Tenancy Development Center, implemented jointly with the Institute for the Development of Cities and Regions from EU funds. The program is intended to support local governments in creating SANs – both advisory and operational.
In the first recruitment 30 communes were selected (out of 39 applications)that will receive support. Among them are both large cities and small communes, including rural ones.
List of communes in alphabetical order:
- Barlinek
- Cieszyn
- City of Gdynia
- Jarocin
- City of Jelenia Góra
- Kartuzy
- City of Kielce
- City of Kwidzyn
- City of Leszno
- Lichnowy
- City of Łódź
- Mielno
- Mikołów
- Mrągowo
- Municipal Commune of Nowe Miasto Lubawskie
- City of Olsztyn
- City of Opole
- Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski
- Stoves
- City of Pruszków
- Pyskowice
- City of Radom
- City of Stargard
- Szczytno Municipality
- City of Świnoujście
- Tarnowskie Góry
- Tczew Municipality
- City of Toruń
- City of Wałbrzych
- City of Zamość
— Our goal is at least doubling the number of SANs in Poland and adapting them to local needs – emphasizes Adam Czerniak, deputy president of KZN.
Support will include, among others: analysis of local housing markets, the scale of vacancies, the income structure of residents and the potential for cooperation with non-governmental organizations. Each SAN is to be tailored to a specific commune.
The criteria for selecting local governments were mostly quantitative (80%) and included, among others: the number of uninhabited apartments, the level of income or compensation expenses for the lack of social housing. The remaining 20 percent was a qualitative assessment, including consistency with local housing policy.
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How SANs work in practice
The SAN model is flexible and decentralized. It is local governments – not KZN – that decide on the principles of operation, rent rates and housing standards.
Agencies can acquire both ready-to-move-in premises and those requiring renovation. In the latter case, funds are available from the Subsidies Fund — up to 80 percent modernization costs that can be included in the rent.
It is also an important element no central database or “rent mirror”. Rates are set locally, based on operators' knowledge and real demand.
— SANs operate very locally and flexibly. This is their greatest advantage over more formalized forms of lease, points out Adam Czerniak.
The experience of agencies already operating (including in Wrocław and Poznań) shows that The owners of apartments are both private individuals (e.g. heirs of apartments), as well as investors and companies. Talks with developers are also plannedwho could include unsold premises in the system.
KZN: 4 thousand apartments in 2026 and 30 thousand until 2029
The development of SANs is just one of the three pillars of the KZN strategy. The others include managing State Treasury land and building a database on the housing market.
The institution currently has approximately 800 ha of land and cooperates with 548 communes. There are 158 investments underway, covering over 6,300 apartments.
— The investment machine has already started. This year we plan to give away approximately 4,000. apartments – announces the president of KZN.
So far, a total of almost 2,000 units have been delivered under the Social Housing Initiatives formula. premises, of which over 1,300 in 2025. Ultimately, KZN plans to build approx. apartments by 2029
At the same time, the institution emphasizes that it is moving away from the “land bank” model active land management — their preparation, development and quick transfer for investments.
SANs as a complement to the system
In the opinion of KZN, Social Rental Agencies have a chance to become the missing link in housing policy — especially where the construction of new housing is time-consuming or limited.
By using existing resources – including vacant buildings – SANs can increase housing availability more quickly.
— It is a tool that can flexibly respond to local needs and complement the offer of SIMs or municipal apartments – sums up Bałajewicz.
The coming months will show whether the scale of the project can be increased enough to have a real impact on the rental market in Poland.
