🌍 Context and Publisher
The document titled "A European Manifesto to Lead the Way Out of the Housing Crisis" was published by Housing Europe, which is the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing. This federation comprises 42 national and regional federations and 15 partner organizations across 31 European countries, managing around 25 million homes, which accounts for approximately 11% of all dwellings in Europe. The manifesto was released in the context of the upcoming European elections in June 2024, during a period marked by a severe housing crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, rising energy and living costs, and ongoing structural issues within housing systems.
🚨 The Urgency of the Housing Crisis
Europe is currently facing its most disruptive period in decades, with the challenges of the pandemic and geopolitical instability intensifying existing housing issues. Key problems include a significant lack of affordable housing, rising rates of homelessness, escalating construction costs, social segregation, and energy poverty. Since 2010, house prices in the EU have risen by 50%, while rents have increased by 23%, significantly outpacing income growth and pushing many middle-income earners into housing insecurity. As of 2022, nearly 9.6 million young adults aged 25-34 were still living with their parents, highlighting the deepening affordability issues. The rate of homelessness has surged by 70% from 2010 to 2020, with around 900,000 individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night in the EU.
🏠 Three Pillars for a New Housing Paradigm
To address the crisis, the manifesto proposes a three-pronged approach:
1. 💡 Embrace a New Housing Paradigm
This approach emphasizes the need to recognize public, cooperative, social, and community-led housing as the backbone of national housing systems. It calls for reforms in EU fiscal and State Aid rules to enable long-term social investments in housing, the integration of housing exclusion indicators into the EU Semester, and legislation to mitigate the negative impacts of short-term rental platforms. Urgent attention is also required to counteract high interest rates and construction costs that impede the delivery of new social housing. A new EU Task Force, led by a European Commission Vice-President, should spearhead this paradigm shift across policymaking.
2. 🌱 Back the Movement for a Fair Energy Transition
The manifesto asserts that the housing sector must play a crucial role in Europe’s green transition. It proposes that EU green policies should set targets for low-carbon housing supply rather than focusing solely on renovations. Access to existing EU funding streams for housing should be simplified and linked to social criteria, while district-level decarbonization should be promoted based on local needs. The document advocates for a transformative fund to unify and streamline financial tools earmarked for socially responsible renovations.
3. 🛠️ Address the Root Causes to End Housing Exclusion and Homelessness
To prevent homelessness and housing exclusion, the manifesto emphasizes guaranteeing access to decent, affordable housing. It advocates for long-term partnerships between housing providers, social services, and local authorities to address complex support needs. Skills development for all actors in the social and affordable housing sector should be prioritized, with housing exclusion being a core element in EU policy impact assessments.
🚀 Overarching Recommendations
The manifesto calls for significant reforms in the EU’s regulatory and funding frameworks to support inclusive and sustainable housing. Sharing effective models of inclusive housing both within and beyond Europe is deemed vital for progress. An integrated, cross-sectoral approach to housing is essential for fostering social inclusion and facilitating a green transition.
📈 Conclusion
In conclusion, the manifesto serves as both a diagnosis of Europe’s deepening housing crisis and a strategic roadmap for systemic change. It urges policymakers to adopt a new paradigm prioritizing public, cooperative, and social housing, while integrating housing policy with climate action and addressing the root causes of exclusion and homelessness. Housing Europe and its members are positioned as key partners in delivering a socially just and sustainable future for European housing.