Resource overview
This publication, “Concrete actions for social and affordable housing in the EU”, is a report coordinated by housing law and policy expert Sergio Nasarre-Aznar, with contributions from Milan Ftáčnik, Núria Lambea-Llop and Līga Rasnača. It is published by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung together with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS). The report looks at how EU member states are responding to the growing challenge of providing social and affordable housing, drawing on examples from multiple national contexts.
Housing pressures and why they matter
The report describes housing affordability as a cross-cutting European issue shaped by trends such as urbanisation, financialisation of housing markets and gentrification. It notes that these pressures affect low-income households but are increasingly reaching middle-income households and younger people who struggle to access stable, affordable homes in many cities and regions. The text frames social and affordable housing as a key instrument to support adequate living conditions and social inclusion.
How social housing differs across member states
A central finding is that “social housing” is not a uniform model across the EU. Member states differ in how social housing is funded, who is eligible, how rents are set, and which organisations build and manage homes. Even with this diversity, the report points to recurring elements: affordability objectives, allocation linked to need or eligibility criteria, and a public-interest rationale aimed at ensuring access for vulnerable or priority groups.
Evidence from country case studies
To ground the analysis, the report presents country studies spanning several European contexts, including Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Austria and Latvia. These cases are used to illustrate different policy mixes and institutional arrangements, and to highlight practical lessons from both mature and evolving social housing systems. The comparative approach is intended to help readers identify transferable practices while recognising local constraints.
Policy actions at multiple governance levels
The report argues that addressing affordability requires coordinated action at local, regional, national and EU levels. It emphasises alignment with broader sustainable development objectives related to housing, and the need for governance approaches that connect land policy, planning, finance, construction and allocation. The report also highlights the importance of using policy tools in combination rather than relying on single measures.
A stronger role for EU coordination and instruments
An explicit recommendation is to develop a more coordinated EU strategy on housing, oriented toward ensuring adequate living conditions across member states. The report suggests that EU-level funding and legislative instruments can be leveraged to support social and affordable housing initiatives, and that coordination can help scale effective approaches, especially where market dynamics undermine affordability.
Innovation, tenure diversity, and implementation lessons
Among the solutions discussed are innovative forms of housing and tenure intended to expand affordability options, including shared ownership and temporal ownership arrangements. The report also underlines several implementation lessons: policies should be grounded in research and a clear understanding of local contexts; housing systems benefit from a continuum of tenures that can reduce volatility; and collaboration between public and private actors can help expand the stock when paired with “soft” measures that engage stakeholders.
Coherent legislation and integrated governance
The report warns that fragmented or incoherent legal and policy frameworks can weaken housing outcomes. It stresses the value of integrated governance and coherent legislation across levels of government to avoid contradictions between goals, funding, and regulatory approaches. Overall, the report presents social and affordable housing as a strategic field where coordinated governance, diversified tenure options and targeted public-interest mechanisms can help respond to affordability challenges across Europe.