Housing for the Common Good: Rooting European Efforts in Local Approaches

Housing for the Common Good: Rooting European Efforts in Local Approaches

This handbook, published by Eurocities, a network representing over 200 cities across 38 countries, addresses the pressing housing crisis in Europe. The authors, Thomas Lymes, Anna Iafisco, and Carolina Picot, explore how local strategies can be integrated into broader European efforts to enhance housing accessibility and sustainability.

Across Europe, cities are facing a severe housing crisis, impacting various urban residents, from vulnerable groups to essential workers. The Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey of 2025 indicates that over 30% of European mayors prioritize housing, a significant increase from 15% in 2023. Rising housing costs, stagnating wages, and a lack of affordable housing contribute to social tensions and threaten urban competitiveness. The European Commission has recognized this issue, appointing a Commissioner for Energy and Housing and proposing an Affordable Housing Plan.

An estimated €270 billion annual investment gap in social and affordable housing highlights the scale of underinvestment. Challenges persist, including limited budgets, competing policy priorities, and restrictions on land availability. The rise of short-term rentals exacerbates the scarcity of long-term affordable housing.

The mid-term review of Cohesion Policy, the European Affordable Housing Plan, and other initiatives provide opportunities to translate local housing innovations into systemic EU-level actions. This handbook presents various approaches to address housing challenges, focusing on strategies that promote affordability, social inclusion, and sustainability. It includes case studies that highlight innovative solutions for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, single-parent families, and low-income homeowners.

The handbook features several case studies, such as Amsterdam's Affordable Housing for Starters scheme, which aims to improve access to homeownership for first-time buyers and essential workers. In Barcelona, the Housing with Supportive Services for the Elderly scheme targets residents aged 65 and older, providing affordable rental flats with supportive services.

The Coop Logement d’abord initiative in Lyon Metropole addresses homelessness by converting vacant housing units into quality social housing, while Milan's Home for Workers initiative provides affordable housing for essential workers. Rome's Porto Fluviale RecHouse project focuses on participatory urban regeneration, preserving cultural heritage while providing stable housing for low-income families.

The handbook emphasizes that while cities are actively addressing housing challenges, sustainable funding remains a critical issue. Long-term success depends on reliable European and national funding, flexible financial instruments, and access to property. Regulatory frameworks must balance tenant protection with the need for innovative solutions.

Key policy priorities include transforming pilot projects into systemic strategies, leveraging the Social Climate Fund for housing upgrades, increasing targeted funding for affordable housing, embedding urban priorities in upcoming financial frameworks, and recognizing affordable housing as essential for reducing poverty and social exclusion.