Tenth Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe

Overview of the Report and Its Creators

The “Tenth Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe” is a joint public‑sector publication produced by FEANTSA (the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless) together with the Fondation pour le Logement des Défavorisés. The report was authored by Margaux Charbonnier, Sarah Coupechoux, Charifa Mahamoud, Ruth Owen, Freek Spinnewijn, Ioana Vlad and Dora Welker, bringing together expertise from research, policy analysis and frontline homelessness work across Europe.

Publication Details and Accessibility

The document, released in September 2025, is classified as public and is available online through the FEANTSA website. It can be accessed via a direct link to the PDF and contains 3.8 MB of data, reflecting a comprehensive collection of statistics, case studies and policy recommendations for the European Union and its member states.

Scope of Data and Key Indicators

The report aggregates data on homelessness, housing cost overburden, severe housing deprivation and overcrowding across the EU. In 2023, 4.9 % of Europeans reported having experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. Current overburden rates show that 4.9 % of households spend more than 40 % of their disposable income on housing, rising to 29.9 % among the lowest‑income quintile. Overcrowding affects 75.2 million people, while severe housing deprivation impacts 17.9 million. The total number of people living without adequate housing is estimated at over 350 000, with 207 000 in emergency accommodation and 120 000 in asylum‑seeker facilities. 🇫🇮 National Example: Finland’s Recent Trend Finland recorded 3 806 homeless individuals in November 2024, an 11 % increase from 2023, after a right‑wing coalition introduced austerity measures that cut social‑housing budgets. The rise was driven by budget cuts, reduced prevention services and a higher share of people sleeping rough (18 %). Despite a long‑standing Housing First model, the new policies reversed earlier gains. 🇩🇰 Denmark’s Age‑Related Rise Denmark’s 2024 count showed 5 989 homeless persons, a 3 % rise from 2022 and a 20 % increase since 2009. Notably, homelessness among those over 60 grew by 11 %, highlighting the impact of an ageing homeless population and limited senior‑specific support. 🇮🇪 Irish Emergency Accommodation Surge In Ireland, 10 683 adults were in emergency accommodation during the week of 20‑26 January 2025, including 7 045 lone adults and 2 164 families. Dublin alone accounted for 70 % of these cases. Over the past decade, the number of adults in emergency shelters rose by 292 %, underscoring the pressure on state‑managed facilities. 🇭🇺 Declining Support in Hungary Hungary’s 2024 survey recorded just under 5 000 homeless respondents, a drop of 2 000 from the previous year, not due to improved conditions but to the loss of public funding for data collection. The survey highlighted an ageing homeless demographic, with 10 % over 70 years and 40 % over 60 years, and chronic poverty, as many survive on less than €150 per month.

European Housing Cost Trends

Across the EU, average rents rose by nearly 25 % between early 2010 and late 2023, while housing prices increased by 50 % over the same period. In 2023, 1 in 10 households spent more than 40 % of disposable income on housing, with the highest burden in Greece (28.5 %) and the lowest in Cyprus (2.6 %). Private renters are the most exposed group, with 20.3 % experiencing excessive cost burdens, compared with about 5 % of homeowners.

Policy Recommendations and Sustainable Housing Focus

The report calls for increased public investment in genuinely affordable housing, protection of social‑housing stock, and stronger coordination between national, regional and local authorities. It stresses the need for rent caps tied to household income, long‑term affordability guarantees, and the prioritisation of non‑profit providers to avoid market‑driven rent escalation. Sustainable housing solutions are highlighted, including energy‑efficient retrofits, community‑owned housing models and the integration of climate‑resilient design to reduce long‑term operating costs.

Key Resources for Further Exploration

Readers can consult the full report, national data tables and methodological notes through the FEANTSA website. Additional references include OECD toolkits on homelessness, EU‑SILC ad‑hoc modules on housing difficulties, and European Commission policy papers on affordable housing and anti‑poverty strategies. These resources provide detailed evidence for policymakers, researchers and practitioners working toward a more sustainable and inclusive European housing system.