European Affordable Housing Plan – Response to Call for Evidence

The document titled "European Affordable Housing Plan – Response to Call for Evidence" is published by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), an international non-profit association based in Brussels. This response addresses the pressing issues of unaffordable housing across Europe, emphasizing that housing is essential for decent living conditions, social inclusion, and well-being.

The document highlights that 8.8% of the EU population spends over 40% of their disposable income on housing. Between 2010 and 2021, house prices surged by 37%, while rents increased by 16%. The situation has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, leading to rising youth homelessness—e.g., in Madrid, youth homelessness rose by 10%, and in Dublin, it increased by 50% in just one year.

The EEB points out that approximately 75% of the existing building stock in the EU is energy inefficient, leading to high energy bills and negative health impacts. Children living in cold homes are twice as likely to suffer from respiratory diseases, contributing to around €194 billion in public health costs annually. The building sector is responsible for one-third of Europe’s environmental footprint and 42% of the EU's annual energy demand.

The EEB urges investment in long-term affordable, high-quality, and sustainable housing to address these challenges. The European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) is welcomed as a crucial opportunity to tackle intertwined social, economic, and environmental issues related to housing. It focuses on "sufficiency," ensuring that everyone has access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing. The document warns against simplistic solutions that may worsen the crisis, such as indiscriminate new construction.

The EEB recommends several strategies for the EAHP: 1. Improving Housing Availability: Efficiently utilize the existing building stock by reintroducing vacant properties to the market and prioritizing primary housing. In 2011, 16% of EU dwellings were vacant, with potential to house an additional 100 million people. 2. Ensuring Long-Term Affordability: Measures should include tackling energy poverty through energy renovations and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. The rising financialization of housing needs to be addressed to ensure long-term affordability. 3. Data Collection: Systematic collection of data on vacancies and under-occupation is crucial for informed policy-making and efficient resource use. This would allow for better assessment of systemic issues with short-term rentals. 4. Incentives for Vacant Buildings: Implement fiscal measures, such as taxation on vacant properties, to encourage owners to reintroduce these homes to the market. 5. Investing in Renovation: Allocate a percentage of the pan-European investment platform for affordable housing to renovate vacant properties, targeting at least 100,000 conversions by 2030.

The EAHP should monitor speculation in the housing market and promote community-led housing models, such as Community Land Trusts, to counteract the negative impacts of financialization. In conclusion, the European Affordable Housing Plan is a vital response to the ongoing housing crisis, aiming to create a sustainable and equitable housing landscape for all citizens across Europe.