Tenth Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe

The Tenth Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe, published by FEANTSA and the Fondation pour le Logement des Défavorisés, highlights the urgent need to address the growing housing crisis across the continent. The report is a collaborative effort by various authors, including Margaux Charbonnier and Sarah Coupechoux, and is rooted in a critical political moment when the EU has recognized housing issues as a priority despite not having formal competency in this area.

The report indicates a significant political shift, with the European Union aiming to mobilize resources for housing access amid increasing public awareness of the crisis. The concept of 'affordable housing' is scrutinized, revealing its ambiguous interpretation, often favoring middle-income households while neglecting the most disadvantaged. The authors argue that public funds risk being misallocated towards stimulating private investment instead of supporting genuinely low-rent housing.

Homelessness is on the rise in many European countries, with statistics showing a persistent failure to recognize housing as an effective right. The report notes that nearly 1.1 million individuals experience homelessness in the EU. The authors stress that homelessness is often overlooked in political discussions, exacerbated by the increasing influence of populist and far-right parties, which tend to roll back social policies and affect support for civil society organizations.

The report illustrates the importance of reliable data in understanding homelessness. For example, Belgium has undertaken significant efforts to improve its statistical methodology, highlighting a 467% increase in the count of homeless individuals since 2008. Other countries, like Finland and Denmark, showcase rising homelessness rates, with Finland experiencing its first increase in over a decade due to austerity measures.

The concept of affordable housing has gained traction as a political priority, especially amid rising living costs impacting disadvantaged households. The report outlines the EU's plans to develop an Affordable Housing Plan while raising concerns about defining affordability and its implications for low-income households. The ambiguity surrounding affordable housing could lead to policies that primarily benefit middle-income groups, further marginalizing the poorest.

The report emphasizes the worsening affordability crisis in the EU, with average rents rising by nearly 25% from 2010 to 2023. Almost 10% of Europeans live in households where housing costs exceed 40% of disposable income, reflecting a significant financial burden. This crisis has prompted widespread concern, with recent surveys indicating that 61% of respondents fear they may be unable to afford their housing.

Finally, the report presents examples of best practices in Europe that aim to tackle housing exclusion and promote sustainable housing solutions. Initiatives such as subsidized loans for low-income housing in France and supported housing models in Finland demonstrate effective strategies for addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. These examples underline the necessity of coordinated action to ensure that housing remains accessible and affordable for all.