This research focused on exploring bottlenecks and challenges to innovation in the social housing sector, in collaboration with various stakeholders. The methodology included a literature review, focus groups with sector representatives, interviews with policymakers and experts, and monitoring of pilot projects. This led to an overview of both building engineering and procedural/organizational bottlenecks.

Working closely with stakeholders and studying inspiring national and international cases, innovative ideas were identified to provide solutions to the identified challenges. These bottlenecks were matched with innovative ideas, and based on these matches, recommendations were formulated for the agency Wonen in Vlaanderen, Flemish housing companies and local governments.

The report uses an iceberg and leverage model inspired by Danielle Davelaar and Donella Meadows. This model reveals how observations and patterns are the result of deeper regulation and thought models. This allows recommendations to be ranked according to their potential for systemic change, with recommendations with high potential located at the bottom of the iceberg model.