Hungary’s future National Building Renovation Plan (NBRP) will play an important role in accelerating renovation and improving living conditions. But to target support effectively, policymakers first need a clear picture of where the country’s worst-performing buildings are and who lives in them.

Developed as part of the JustReno project, this report brings together evidence to support the preparation of Hungary’s future NBRP and Social Climate Plan. It focuses on the identification of worst-performing buildings and their relationship with vulnerable households, drawing on national building stock data and complementary research on property owners.

The findings reveal a distinct picture of where Hungary’s renovation challenge is concentrated. Worst-performing buildings are particularly prevalent in villages and smaller towns and are predominantly single-family homes. The report also explores how building type and heating systems shape energy performance, showing why a one-size-fits-all approach to identifying and prioritising buildings would miss important differences across the housing stock.

Importantly, the report finds that poor building performance and social vulnerability are closely connected, but do not completely overlap. This raises important questions for policymakers about how renovation support can target inefficient homes while ensuring vulnerable households receive the support they need.

Based on these findings, the report sets out considerations and recommendations for developing a more effective and socially just approach to building renovation in Hungary. It highlights the importance of robust targeting, predictable financing, public participation and stronger coordination between national and local actors and across relevant policy frameworks.

The full report is available to download in both English and Hungarian.