The housing crisis has been identified as a priority for the European Union and many of its Member States. For much of the EU population, housing — whether home ownership or renting — remains unaffordable. Many young couples cannot get married without a home, and numerous households are unable to pay their mortgages. Not to mention the considerable number of individuals experiencing homelessness.
The phenomenon has become increasingly widespread (albeit with differences between Member States), and it has prompted both Brussels – which has explicitly referred to a “housing crisis” – and various European capitals to seek solutions. This is no easy task, however, not least because effective measures in the construction and housing sectors cannot be implemented overnight. Furthermore, many interests are at stake, partly due to speculation.
On 4 June, a meeting was held at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together representatives of EU institutions, churches,
religious associations, and philosophical and non-confessional organisations. The “goal of the meeting” was “to discuss housing issues more deeply.” The event, promoted under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which establishes the legal basis for “dialogue with churches, religious associations/communities and philosophical and non-confessional organisations” was titled ‘Housing in the EU: strategies for a Europe that supports people, families and the younger generation’. Participants included the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
Furthermore, the EU Commission’s first consultation on the housing crisis came to a close on 4 June.
It was rolled out the previous month based on some indisputable figures: “Adjusted for inflation, house prices have risen by more than 20% since 2015, and rents in major cities have risen by up to 48% for a one-bedroom apartment between 2014 and 2023.” Furthermore, “overall inflation-adjusted investment in residential buildings fell by 6% from 2022 to 2024.” Data released by the Commission also showed that “17% of the EU population is living in overcrowded homes and that building permits for residential buildings have dropped by more than 20% since 2021.” Equally important is the fact that “homelessness affects all Member States and has increased substantially over the last decade.” The EU Commission conducted an online consultation to collect the views of public bodies, businesses, associations and policymakers, and the results are yet to be released. “Making housing more affordable is a political priority,” said Dan Jørgensen, the first ever Commissioner with responsibility for Housing.
Moreover, on 24 March, the EU Parliament’s “Special Committee on the Housing Crisis” hosted a joint conference with the Commission to discuss the housing crisis and ways in which the EU could address it.
Throughout 2025, the Commission ‘will be carrying out a dialogue on affordable housing to tackle a problem that is affecting millions of Europeans.’
In recent months, the Executive has adopted several decisions relating to housing. Meanwhile, the Commission is in the process of establishing a Housing Advisory Board, comprising 15 members who will provide independent policy recommendations for the Affordable Housing Plan.
