Severna’s Utopian Housing System: Would You Live Here? | Workers and Resources.

[@gamer1X12]

The Citizen Honor System is a very interesting conceptualization of democratic socialism. Ive had a similar concept for a while now; a PAC or PTA, People's Action Commitee or People's Treasury of Architecture. Basically a regional organization that has a publicly viewable bank account, and said account consists of donations from the regional people and state subsidy. The account is basically frozen at all times--except for when, every few years, a council of architects, engineers, project managers, etc. (determined by regional election) will host design competitions, public and private meetings about various civil subjects, etc. etc. Once the council and people had decided, the money in the public and locked account could then be spent on repairs, building parks, more roads, refurbishing or expanding the local university, etc. etc. Also another idea I had is that a PAC or PTA could fill the gap between highschool and college, teaching vocational and technical courses (electrician, plumbing, construction, etc.) to young men during the two-year gap. Basically, some members of the proletariat could get partially subsidized Associate's degrees in the aforementioned fields, making sure people are well equipped with practical skills for adulthood, and help supplement the workforce. Also some people could volunteer for part-time shifts on weekends to participate in trash cleanups and general maintenance work in their general area. In exchange for these brief shifts, they could get small payments or a slight discount on rent.

[@7sevensevern]

Thanks so much for sharing your concept! The People's Action Committee (PAC) and People's Treasury of Architecture (PTA) ideas sound fascinating-definitely along the lines of what we're thinking with the Citizen Honor System in Severna. I love the way you’re blending public engagement with transparent, community-driven projects. The idea of having a publicly viewable bank account for regional donations, combined with state subsidies, really adds a layer of accountability and direct involvement that could strengthen trust between the people and local government. It's a very democratic approach, giving the power back to the people to decide where their resources are going. Your vocational gap program between high school and college is brilliant as well. In Severna at 13 years old the education splits into the 3 sectors of our economy. Having a structured system to teach practical skills like plumbing, electrical work, and construction during that transition period would not only help bolster the workforce but give young people a solid foundation for adulthood. It’s very much in the spirit of ensuring everyone has a role in building the community-whether it’s through formal jobs or even part-time shifts like the trash cleanups and maintenance you mentioned. I also love the idea of rewarding volunteer efforts with things like rent discounts or small payments. It really encourages civic pride and keeps people engaged in the welfare of their own neighborhoods. It’s not only about contributing but making sure people feel valued for the work they’re doing. Honestly, I’d love to hear more about how you’ve developed these ideas-Severna and your conceptual PAC/PTA could share some notes! Thanks again for such a thoughtful comment. 😊

[@gamer1X12]

@@7sevensevern I think youtube is censoring my replies lol. Do you have/use Discord?

[@7sevensevern]

I only have this reply yes. So if you have written others I don't have them. I am planning on setting up a discord as few have asked. I'll reply on here when I do.

[@megaotstoy]

only those who had no personal experience of living in the USSR may dream of something like that... looks like affordable housing crisis is really hard nowadays if it makes you wish to go back to Comecon lifestyle (born and raised in the USSR since 1967)

[@7sevensevern]

@megaotstoy Severna is not in the USSR don't worry. Its not even mentioned in any of my videos... I don't think so anyway.

[@MyAmpWamp]

In communist poland apartments offered much bigger space then the ones people can afford now. We are regressing whaen it comes to the living space.

[@megaotstoy]

@@7sevensevern sure, it's not about Geography, not even about History... it's all about the System you propose, the social mechanisms you propose. They are 100% Soviet.

[@epicdrill1756]

​@@megaotstoy Singapore has a similar system and they used to arrest communists. The correct word to describe the system is "planned" or "socialised"; and i think essential goods that aren't subject to normal market forces (food,water,housing,healthcare) should be planned or socialised in order to prevent market failiures

[@7sevensevern]

@megaotatoy True, but in Severna, there’s a limited free market. Individuals and co-ops can run small enterprises and even receive government subsidies to provide variety for the citizens. However, core services like energy, water, transportation, education, housing, and healthcare are all provided free of charge. Given that Severna is such a small island, it’s the same citizens who are both creating and benefiting from these services, which is what drives their motivation. There’s a strong sense of community responsibility-if they don’t work together to keep the system running, their entire society would face collapse. That’s the real incentive.

[@bernd_das_brot6911]

Alright interesting, I enjoy people who think differently to the system we have, we need that to keep improving, but I think I see a few flaws, firstly, how can such a nation keep building new housing continuously on such short notice, constantly building or even mantaining buildings of good quality and in close harmony and proximity to nature seems extremely expensive resource wise, you would have to divert alot of people to just work on building, designing and distributing homes. Even assuming this is a moneyless society, this stuff needs alot of work, effort and recources. East Germany had an assigned housing system, you just had to wait 12 years and the housing was total crap. The honour system also seems flawed, who decides who deserves what, and how easily is it corruptible? How do you prevent people from favoring their relatives or the elite from changing the rules to favour themselves? And likewise, why would I ever nominate someone who works pretty hard in my neighbourhood who I kinda know, when I can nominate my buddies or family? Just some things I was thinking of, again I like the system, I was just wondering some stuff.

[@7sevensevern]

Hey, thanks for the comment! I really appreciate the fact that you're thinking critically about this system-after all, it's the different perspectives that help us improve any society, real or fictional. 😊 You’ve brought up some great points, so let me dive in and respond to each. First off, you’re totally right-continuously building and maintaining housing in a way that’s in harmony with nature is no small task. In Severna, the idea is that the government has dedicated significant resources to creating a sustainable and scalable housing model. Since Severna doesn’t rely on a profit-driven economy, the focus is on meeting citizens' needs, not cutting corners to maximize profits. That said, you’re spot on-this requires a lot of labor, planning, and resources. But instead of diverting tons of people solely to construction, Severna prioritizes automation where possible, while the people involved are often those between jobs or looking for community-focused work. It’s a system built on cooperation and contribution rather than individual profit. Now, the comparison with East Germany is fair. But in Severna’s world, the focus is more on quality, and the system is constantly reevaluated to avoid the bureaucratic stagnation that you’d find in something like the old GDR. We’re aiming for a society that doesn’t just wait forever for a rundown apartment but provides good-quality housing relatively quickly-though there are, of course, still limits, especially with Severna being such a small island. As for the honor system, you're right again-it’s something that could easily be open to corruption. That’s why Severna’s system is heavily monitored and audited, with strict guidelines to prevent people from favoring family or friends. The nominations are publicly logged (with personal data protected, of course), and there are mechanisms in place to ensure that nominations are based on actual contributions to the community. If someone’s trying to game the system, it gets flagged, and there are serious consequences. The "why nominate?" question is interesting. In Severna’s culture, the sense of community is strong-helping others helps everyone. So while you could, in theory, nominate a buddy or family member, the idea is that people take pride in recognizing those who truly contribute to the collective good. It’s more of a cultural shift-if the system isn’t based on competition, then there’s less incentive to favor someone just because you’re close. It’s not perfect, but it’s more about building a society where people genuinely want to see each other thrive. I hope that answers some of your thoughts! Again, I really appreciate the constructive feedback. It's always great to have people engaging with the ideas, even when they don't totally agree. Thanks for watching, and keep the questions coming!

[@bernd_das_brot6911]

@@7sevensevern really interesting thanks for the detailed answer.

[@7sevensevern]

@@bernd_das_brot6911You're welcome mate, what I'm here for.

[@AndrejBuday]

Nice video. Thumbs up.

[@7sevensevern]

Thank you so much. Pleased you enjoyed it.

[@a11u45]

What happens if someone doesn't claim a house by their 22nd birthday? As someone who comes from a partially Asian cultural background where it is acceptable to stay with your parents at an older age than in the west, that struck out to me.

[@7sevensevern]

Thank you for your question. In Severna, we understand that cultural norms around housing and independence can vary, and we respect that diversity. If someone doesn’t claim a house by their 22nd birthday, they won’t lose their right to a home. The housing unit remains available, and they can apply for housing at any point in the future when they feel ready to move out. Additionally, we recognize that many citizens may prefer to stay with their family for cultural or personal reasons. In such cases, we simply ask that individuals notify the Housing Authority of their preference to stay with family, which can be reflected in their housing options at a later date. Severna is committed to providing housing in a way that accommodates both individual needs and cultural values, ensuring that no one feels pressured to leave home before they are ready

[@teamaki231]

interesting, love the video!

[@7sevensevern]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@arandominternetperson4462]

I like how your nation's name literally means "North...."

[@7sevensevern]

Thank you. Glad you like the lore.