The Nordic Model refers to a social welfare and economic system adopted approximately 90 years before the catastrophe by the countries making up the area of the continent of northwestern Europe. It combined capitalistic features such as a market economy and economic efficiency with social benefits and an eye towards a secure and healthy life for its citizens.
The Foundation began implementing its version when the Habitats began holding residents. While the Foundation held all the physical capital simply by rights of having purchased it, that was eventually passed to the Foundation Board, who in turn designated the actual running of the Habitats to the individual Habitat Administrations.
All residents, by virtue of living in the habitats, were assigned a housing type dependent on the number of people in their household; those who lived alone were assigned a one-bedroom home. In contrast, others typically were assigned one more bedroom than people, with a maximum of five people per individual home. While the housing types were assigned, where to live in the habitat was up to each person. They could choose to live on any residential floor based on housing type availability.
All residents were given access to basic furniture and house goods and subsidies for basic food, clothing, and hygiene. Additionally, a monthly basic income of $1,000 units, known as Recompense, was available to adults who completed their Community Tasks or had a temporary or permanent waiver. Waivers were rare since tasks were crafted to accommodate most issues people might face. These units could be used for enhanced house goods, clothing, food, grooming, and transferring units between individuals or co-ops for other goods, services, and creative output.
The Foundation set a limit on the number of units anyone could keep, with $50,000 being the highest. Anything above that amount was removed automatically. To accommodate those whose creative endeavors were highly regarded or whose work contributed greatly to the improved well-being of the habitat residents, a remuneration of the maximum amount yearly was awarded (which was more commonly pronounced as renumeration. Most of those who achieved this also spent much time teaching others in master classes.