The Municipality of Budapest has launched construction of the Demo Hub, a pilot project under the AHA Budapest – Affordable Housing for All programme, converting a former school building in Újpest into residential housing.
According to a statement issued on Friday, the city’s long-term objective is to operate a housing system that is stable, flexible and capable of providing dignified and affordable homes for all residents.
One of the key tools to achieve this is the AHA Budapest project, implemented with co-financing from the European Union. As part of the initiative, a former school building in Baross Street in Újpest, unused since 2007, is being transformed into a residential building. Demolition work officially began in January, marking the transition from several years of preparatory work and community-based planning to the implementation phase.
The project aims to create 26 modern, energy-efficient and dignified homes for families who currently lack access to affordable housing.
The municipality said the development is being delivered through a diverse partnership of organizations with complementary roles. The Municipality of Budapest provides strategic direction and ensures the long-term integration of the programme. The Contemporary Architecture Centre is responsible for community engagement and participatory planning. Nart Architects and the MOKEMBÉ collective are shaping the architectural concept and leading the development of the Újpest Demo Hub.
Digital tools for the project are being developed by Popcode Ltd, while the From the Street to a Home Association (Utcáról Lakásba! Egyesület) is overseeing the professional implementation of social support services. The Hungarian Energy Efficiency Institute (MEHI) contributes expertise on energy-efficient solutions, and Városkutatás Ltd supports the project with analysis and research.
Three foreign cities—Breda, Pula and Alfafar—have also joined the initiative. By closely monitoring the Hungarian implementation, they aim to assess which innovative elements of the project could be adapted and introduced in their own local contexts.
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