Article by Ripess Europe

Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative, and Social Housing, represents 44 national and regional federations and 16 partner organizations across 31 countries, overseeing approximately 25 million homes, which make up around 11% of Europe’s housing stock.

In light of the European elections of June 2024, it was crucial for policymakers at the European, national, and local levels to adopt a comprehensive strategy to address both the social exclusion caused by a lack of affordable housing and the urgent need to reduce the carbon footprint of Europe’s residential sector. The EU has a range of tools that can either support the development of socially inclusive and sustainable housing or worsen the current crisis. In response, Housing Europe has developed a European Manifesto on the housing crisis, directed at the European Parliament, outlining policies and a strategic plan to promote affordable housing.

A brief summary of the Manifesto:

1. Embrace a New Housing Paradigm
•   Strengthen public, cooperative, and social housing as a key part of national housing systems.
•   Adjust financial and State Aid rules to support investment in affordable housing.
•   Integrate housing exclusion indicators into EU economic policies.
Solution: Establish an EU Task Force led by a European Commission Vice-President.

2. Support a Fair Energy Transition
•   Expand EU green policies to include low-carbon housing supply targets.
•   Simplify access to EU funding with clear social criteria.
•   Promote district-wide decarbonization to ensure affordability and sustainability.
Solution: Create a transformative fund to unify and direct EU resources toward socially responsible renovations.

3. Address Root Causes of Housing Exclusion
•   Ensure access to affordable housing to prevent homelessness.
•   Foster long-term partnerships between housing providers, social services, and local authorities.
Solution: Make housing exclusion a key factor in EU policy impact assessments and strengthen collaboration through EU platforms like the European Platform for Combatting Homelessness.

For more information about the Manifesto, read here

In a significant development on December 18, the European Parliament voted to establish a special committee dedicated to tackling the ongoing housing crisis across the European Union. With 480 votes in favor, the committee’s creation represents a historic step in shaping EU housing policy.

Set to operate for one year, the committee will focus on mapping housing needs, particularly for low- and middle-income groups, and evaluating the economic impact of housing shortages on issues such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. It will review existing policies at the EU, national, and local levels, with a particular emphasis on social and affordable housing availability in cities, rural areas, and islands. Additionally, members will investigate the effects of housing speculation and assess the effectiveness of EU funds allocated to providing affordable housing and reducing homelessness.

The committee will also tackle challenges related to short-term rentals, rising housing prices, and construction sector barriers, paving the way for much-needed policy reforms. In the coming months, it will conduct hearings, site visits, and in-depth analyses to support the development of the European Affordable Housing Plan, which the European Commission is set to introduce.

For Housing Europe, the committee’s focus on non-profit housing solutions, such as public, cooperative, and social housing, and its evaluation of funding mechanisms will directly influence future EU housing policies. Its creation signals a serious commitment to addressing the crisis, and if this commitment is upheld, Housing Europe looks forward to collaborating by sharing real-life examples and a century of expertise on delivering fair and sustainable housing solutions.

For more information, read here.

Moreover, on January 23rd, the European Parliament published the nominative composition of special committee. Composed of 33 members, the committee will operate for 12 months and conduct hearings with experts, consult stakeholders, and conduct visits to study best practices around Europe. A final report summarising its findings and recommendations will be presented at the end of its term.

The special committee is tasked with developing solutions to ensure decent, sustainable, and affordable housing across the EU. Its focus includes tackling housing shortages, affordability challenges, and homelessness, while also assessing their social and economic impacts.

The committee will evaluate housing needs across various demographic and regional groups, with particular attention to low- and middle-income households. It will analyze existing housing policies at the EU, national, and local levels, identifying gaps and proposing improvements. Additionally, it will examine the impact of housing speculation, assess the role of short-term rentals in affordability issues, and review the effectiveness of EU and national housing funds. Furthermore, the committee will study how EU policies influence housing availability and affordability.

Its findings will contribute to the development and implementation of both the European Affordable Housing Plan and the European Strategy for Housing Construction, shaping future policies to address the housing crisis effectively.

Last but not least, on February 20th The mayors of Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Bologna, Budapest, Ghent, Leipzig, Paris, Rome, and Warsaw, along with the Vice President of Lyon Metropole and the Councillor for Housing from Lisbon, traveled to Brussels to voice their concerns. Barcelona took the lead in forming this housing alliance.

Dan Jørgensen, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, and MEP Irene Tinagli, Chair of the European Parliament Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, welcomed the city leaders to discuss an ambitious European housing agenda.
The mayors emphasized the urgent need for EU action to address the worsening housing crisis, calling for increased investment in social and affordable housing. They urged the creation of a dedicated EU housing fund and the reallocation of unspent recovery funds, alongside reforms to State Aid rules and the Stability and Growth Pact to allow for greater public investment.
They stressed that housing policies must prioritize social equity, ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit from the green transition. Additionally, they called for stricter EU regulations on short-term rental platforms and direct EU funding for cities facing political constraints at the national level.

[…] “Housing is a fundamental right”

As the European Commission continues to shape its vision for a European Affordable Housing Plan, the mayors emphasized that this is the critical moment to ensure cities, where housing issues are most pressing, play a direct role in shaping policies that will affect millions of residents.
In the face of multiple challenges, including climate change and growing social inequalities, the mayors underscored that housing must remain a top priority on the EU agenda.
“Housing is a fundamental right. We must act now and do more,” concluded Mayor Hidalgo.
The mayors departed Brussels with a clear message: cities are on the front lines of the housing crisis, and they are ready to collaborate with EU institutions to ensure that every European has access to a decent and affordable home.

For more information, read here