Priority List Published for the Purchase of Apartments under the POS Program in Rovinj
The City of Rovinj has published the proposed priority list for the purchase of apartments under the Socially Subsidised Housing Programme (POS), officially launching one of the most significant housing initiatives in the city in recent years. This step has considerable impact on young families, the local workforce, and all residents striving to secure affordable housing solutions in one of the most desirable cities on the Croatian coast.
According to the official document issued by the City of Rovinj (Proposed Priority List), the list includes 264 applicants, while 27 individuals were assessed as not meeting the eligibility requirements based on property, social, and administrative criteria necessary to participate in the program.
How many apartments are being built, and where?
The POS project in Rovinj involves the construction of a residential complex in the Montepozzo neighbourhood, where four residential buildings with a total of 24 housing units are planned. This is a strategically important development for the city, as over the past decade Rovinj has experienced a significant rise in property prices, making housing increasingly inaccessible for local residents.
Apartments within the POS program are sold under significantly more favourable conditions compared to the open market, with restrictions designed to prevent speculative resale in the short term. The housing units will primarily be available to individuals who live and work in Rovinj, ensuring that the project serves the local population and contributes to demographic and social stability.
What is POS, and who is it intended for?
POS (Socially Subsidised Housing Programme) is a national initiative created to enable citizens to purchase housing at subsidised prices, supported by state incentives, lower interest rates, and clearly defined eligibility conditions. Unlike market-based housing, POS apartments are structured to remain socially accessible to groups most in need of housing — young families, working individuals, and those meeting defined criteria related to housing status.
This program is an important tool in preventing population outflow and maintaining the functioning of the local economy. In cities like Rovinj, where tourism strongly influences market demand and pricing, POS provides an alternative path to homeownership, strengthening community stability and encouraging young people to remain in the city.
Montepozzo — Rovinj’s new residential step
The Montepozzo site was selected for its accessibility, transport links, and proximity to essential daily amenities such as shops, schools, kindergartens, and recreational facilities. The project is aligned with urban planning regulations and represents the beginning of a potentially broader urban development initiative that could include similar projects in the future.
Although the total number of units — 24 apartments — cannot meet the needs of all applicants, this initiative sends an important signal that Rovinj is actively working to address the housing challenge. The number of applicants highlights the scale of demand: nearly 11 interested applicants per unit.
Will demand continue to grow?
Given demographic trends, property market pressures, and economic development, it is reasonable to expect continued high demand for similar programs. Expanding such initiatives could become a key tool for maintaining social balance in the city. Rovinj traditionally records strong interest in residential property, driven by its quality of life, high standard of public services, and overall attractiveness as a destination.
How Austria Addresses Housing — Lessons from Vienna
In the context of housing policy, Austria — and particularly its capital Vienna — is often cited as an exemplary model. As analysed in sources such as Tportal, Vienna's approach is based on a long-term strategic vision in which the city positions itself not only as a regulator, but as an active participant in the housing market.
Unlike the Croatian approach, where POS apartments are sold to eligible buyers, the Viennese model largely relies on a system of social and affordable rental housing — the city builds, purchases, or co-finances housing, but does not sell the units. Instead, they remain publicly owned and are rented long-term at accessible and controlled prices. This approach stabilizes the market, prevents price surges, and ensures long-term housing availability for a broad segment of the population.
Can Rovinj follow Vienna’s path?
Although Vienna’s system is the result of decades of strategic planning, the question arises whether elements of this model could be adapted locally. Rovinj’s circumstances are specific — limited land availability, strong tourism-driven market pressure, and constant demand create a unique environment. Nonetheless, establishing a hybrid model — combining POS ownership opportunities with public long-term rental units — could represent a forward-looking approach for the city.
Introducing a portion of publicly owned housing designated for long-term, price-controlled rental could serve as a solution for retaining essential professionals such as healthcare workers, teachers, municipal employees, and young specialists.
Conclusion
The publication of the priority list for POS apartment purchases marks a significant step toward improving housing affordability in Rovinj. The Montepozzo project represents progress, yet also the beginning of a broader journey toward a more balanced and sustainable local housing system. In comparison to Austria’s model, it is evident that there is space for expanding housing policies to include long-term rental initiatives alongside subsidised homeownership.
The demographic vitality and long-term quality of life in Rovinj will largely depend on the city's ability to ensure that young residents can secure a stable future — not only as seasonal workers or temporary inhabitants, but as permanent members of the community who build their lives in this unique Adriatic town.
