EU wide

The European Union is taking significant steps to address the housing crisis across its member states through the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI). Now in its second phase, the AHI aims to support 35 lighthouse districts in becoming inclusive, energy-efficient, and sustainable spaces with affordability at their core. The initiative provides tailored guidance, financial advice, mentorship, and capacity-building to tackle energy poverty, promote inclusion, ensure affordability, and reduce emissions.

The EU's approach includes several key programs and activities:

1. The European Affordable Housing Plan, guided by the new EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing.
2. Renovation Wave strategy, focusing on building resilience, improving liveability, and promoting resource efficiency.
3. Funding support through the Single Market Programme and EU Cohesion policy.
4. Creation of a Funding Simulator to help projects navigate public and private financing options.
5. Development of blueprints for financial feasibility, technology, and social inclusiveness in housing projects.
6. Exchange programs for urban housing professionals to foster knowledge sharing.
7. Establishment of a monitoring system for affordable housing in the EU.
8. Improvement of EU urban housing market data at regional and city levels.

These initiatives aim to transform housing across communities, addressing affordability pressures, energy efficiency, and social inclusion simultaneously. The EU recognizes that housing policy is interconnected with other sectors such as transport, energy, and urban planning, and is working towards a more holistic approach to create sustainable and affordable housing solutions.

The European housing market in 2025 is characterized by rising prices and diverse conditions across countries. Overall, about 51.7% of the EU population lives in houses, while 47.7% reside in flats. The average household size is 2.3 persons, with 1.6 rooms per person on average.

House prices increased by 2.6% in the euro area and 3.8% in the EU compared to the previous year. The strongest growth is expected in the Netherlands, Brazil, and Mexico, driven by government support programs and increasing wages. In contrast, prices are declining in France due to affordability issues and political uncertainty.

Public, cooperative, and social housing providers manage around 25 million homes, accounting for approximately 11% of Europe's housing stock. These providers aim to spend at least €35 billion per year on additional affordable housing and €23 billion on renovation and maintenance.

Overcrowding remains a concern, with 16.8% of the EU population living in overcrowded homes. However, this rate has decreased from 19.1% in 2010.

The housing market faces challenges such as insufficient supply in many countries, affordability issues, and the need for energy-efficient renovations. Governments and housing providers are working to address these challenges through various initiatives and investments.