The aim of the paper is to characterize the legal and factual situation of the housing stock in Poland, present the cost of purchasing or renting a dwelling, with consideration given to costs of utilities, and to identify the current housing policies. We show that housing problems concern the inadequate size of dwellings in relation to the households that occupy them and the access to dwellings by less affluent persons, who face high market rents and high purchase prices. The needs of lower income groups, elderly citizens, or those who need greater mobility to find employment have still not been met. The social rental sector (at cost rents) has no available, vacant units. Governmental programmes which support both construction and renovation activity in this sector have been put in place and their implementation is an important step in the right direction. In conclusions, we summarize the existent challenges on the housing market and assess the manner in which they are being addressed.