Beyond bandages: Towards a European Affordable Housing Plan that is fair and sustainable

The resource titled "Beyond bandages: Towards a European Affordable Housing Plan that is fair and sustainable" is published by the European Environmental Bureau. It addresses the pressing housing crises affecting millions across the EU, highlighting critical data and recommending integrated solutions for affordable and sustainable housing.

House prices in the EU have surged by 57.9% and rents by 27.8% from 2010 to the first quarter of 2025. Approximately 17% of Europeans live in overcrowded conditions, while around 1.27 million face homelessness. With 70% of homes being energy inefficient, one in ten Europeans struggles to maintain adequate warmth in their homes. This situation is compounded by the building sector being the most environmentally impactful within the EU, contributing nearly one-third of the continent's ecological footprint.

The EAHP offers a crucial opportunity to tackle these intertwined issues. Signatories from both social and environmental sectors advocate for comprehensive solutions that address both affordability and sustainability, rejecting superficial approaches that merely focus on increasing housing supply. While boosting the availability of affordable housing is vital, it is equally important to consider who controls housing and land, and the long-term affordability of these homes.

The document emphasizes the need for the EAHP to be grounded in principles that expand social housing as a public infrastructure. It advocates for a diverse mix of housing models and better regulation of the private rental market. To maximize existing resources, it suggests leveraging vacant and underoccupied buildings to revitalize neighborhoods and create new homes. Additionally, the plan calls for promoting high-quality, energy-efficient buildings through ambitious policies rooted in community ownership.

A successful EAHP should focus on long-term strategies to tackle the dynamics of financialization that exacerbate the housing crisis. It should encourage the development of public and nonprofit social housing based on comprehensive housing needs assessments and a human rights framework. Mobilizing privately-owned housing can be a quicker lever to meet housing needs, particularly in areas where social housing stocks are insufficient.

The document outlines successful initiatives such as France's SRU law, which mandates municipalities to provide a minimum percentage of social housing. It highlights Denmark's allocation mechanisms that prioritize vulnerable populations, as well as the legal recognition of Community Land Trusts in Belgium and France that promote permanently affordable homes. Community-driven revitalization models like Hastings Commons in the UK have also been recognized for their effectiveness.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the plan should promote circular, energy-efficient, and decarbonized buildings. It notes that nearly 11% of Europeans struggled to keep their homes adequately warm in 2023, underscoring the need for ambitious energy policies. The document recommends community-focused renovations and prioritizing funding for low-income households to enhance energy efficiency and reduce inequalities.

Lastly, the EAHP must assess existing EU policies that might undermine affordable housing goals and align them with broader EU frameworks. It stresses the importance of transparency in capital flows and ownership structures to prevent speculative dynamics that distort local housing markets.