Context: resource, publisher and speakers
The resource is a recorded roundtable and conference-style event hosted by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), bringing together trade union and housing stakeholders to discuss whether Europe is on track to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable, sustainable homes. The publisher is ETUI, a research and education institute focused on European social and labour issues. The video does not name an individual author; the opening is chaired by Andrew Watt (ETUI), with a keynote delivered on behalf of Esther Lynch (ETUC), and a programme featuring representatives from trade unions, sector federations and housing organisations.
Housing emergency: affordability pressures and who is affected
The event frames Europe’s situation as a housing emergency in which many people struggle to find adequate, decent and affordable accommodation. A central point is that rents and house prices have increased faster than wages and incomes, which disproportionately affects working people, pensioners and families. The discussion links affordability to broader living conditions and health outcomes, arguing that inadequate housing quality can have direct consequences for wellbeing and social inclusion.
Key data highlighted during the keynote
Speakers cite EU-wide trends since 2010: average rents rising by about 25% and average house prices increasing by more than 50% (2010–2024). Country examples are used to show sharper pressures in specific markets, including rent increases of more than 200% in Estonia, more than 170% in Lithuania, and more than 100% in Ireland and Hungary. The keynote also notes affordability benchmarks for low-paid workers: in 14 Member States, minimum-wage workers spend 35% or more of pay on housing costs, while in the Netherlands, Ireland and Luxembourg this rises to more than half of minimum-wage pay. These figures are presented as evidence of falling purchasing power for households whose incomes have not grown at the same pace as housing costs.
Market dynamics, profits and policy context
The event describes housing as both a fundamental need and a sector generating “staggering profits” for some individuals and investment funds. It attributes negative outcomes to processes such as privatisation, deregulation, financialisation and speculation, and warns that renewed austerity could undermine the scale of investment needed to secure adequate housing. The discussion situates housing within EU-level policy debates, including the European Commission President’s commitment to develop a first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan as part of the 2024–2029 political guidelines.
What was discussed: programme structure and housing/homelessness link
The programme is structured in two parts. The first focuses on whether Europe is on the right track to ensure affordable and sustainable housing, with participation from trade union and social housing representatives. The second focuses on homelessness and reviews progress under the “European Platform on Combatting Homelessness” (EPOCH), including whether it can deliver on the stated ambition to end homelessness in the EU by 2030. The agenda lists an opening keynote, a housing roundtable, and a dedicated session on EPOCH with a research presentation and discussants from trade unions, homelessness stakeholders and the European Commission.
Main takeaways presented as factual policy directions
Across the interventions, the event emphasises the need for coordinated action combining investment, regulation and social support. It highlights public and social housing investment as a recurring theme, along with stronger engagement of stakeholders and alliances to address homelessness and affordability. The session concludes by stressing continued pressure on European institutions to prioritise housing policy, particularly for people most exposed to high costs, poor housing quality and the risk of homelessness.