How do you stop the rise of the far right? Build houses

The article titled "How do you stop the rise of the far right? Build houses" was published by Politico, a reputable source known for its in-depth political analysis and commentary. Authored by Aitor Hernández-Morales, Jacopo Barigazzi, Barbara Moens, and Giovanna Coi, this article discusses the urgent housing crisis affecting Europe and its implications for rising far-right sentiments.

The article highlights the severe housing shortages across Europe, exemplified by the situation in Dublin, where the affordable housing stock has not kept pace with population growth. Since 2013, residential rental prices in Dublin have more than doubled, leading to extreme competition for available flats, often involving viewings with dozens of other potential renters. This scenario is mirrored in various European cities, where average rents have increased by 19% and house prices by 47% in the past decade. In Germany, one in five households spends 40% of its disposable income on housing.

Frustration over housing has sparked protests in cities like Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Milan, with far-right groups leveraging these sentiments to gain support. In Ireland, anti-immigrant riots were partially attributed to perceptions that scarce public housing was being allocated to foreigners. The article argues that the mainstream political parties in the EU are now recognizing the importance of addressing housing issues to counteract the rise of right-wing and Euroskeptic parties in the upcoming European Parliament elections.

Political figures emphasize that the root of the housing crisis lies in mismanagement rather than immigration. Sorcha Edwards from Housing Europe states that allegations blaming undocumented immigrants for the housing shortage are false, attributing the issues to decades of public authorities neglecting their responsibilities in housing development. The absence of a dedicated housing minister in the Netherlands for 12 years exemplifies this neglect.

To tackle the crisis, mainstream parties are launching initiatives such as the Brussels Declaration and the Housing Europe Manifesto, urging the EU to prioritize housing as a critical issue. Urbanism Secretary Ans Persoons points out that the housing crisis affects not just low-income individuals but also middle-class workers, with significant waiting lists for social housing in major cities.

While housing is not currently an EU competency, Edwards argues for the establishment of an EU task force on housing to coordinate a bloc-wide response. Funding schemes akin to the Next Generation EU economic recovery package are deemed essential for building public housing and conducting energy-efficient renovations. There is a call for new legislation to address speculative investments in housing markets, with proposals for transparency rules concerning real estate transactions.

The article concludes with a consensus that the housing crisis is a widespread problem requiring urgent and coordinated action. As leaders stress the need for social dimensions in policy-making, the risk of losing public trust in the EU looms large if effective solutions are not implemented.