The hottest political issue European politicians aren't talking about

The hottest political issue European politicians aren't talking about

This article, published by POLITICO and authored by Aitor Hernández-Morales and Giovanna Coi, addresses the urgent and escalating issue of affordable housing across Europe. It highlights the growing discontent among voters from various cities, including Dublin, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Milan, where protests have erupted in response to the lack of affordable housing options. The piece is part of a broader special report titled "The Home Front," focusing on the housing crisis in Europe.

European citizens are increasingly frustrated with the rising costs and scarcity of affordable housing, with a significant portion of their disposable income—nearly 20%—allocated to housing expenses. Sorcha Edwards, secretary-general of Housing Europe, notes that this issue was historically ignored by politicians due to its impact on low-income groups, but it has now escalated to affect the middle class and their descendants. Years of neglect, coupled with inflation and rising mortgage prices, have worsened the situation, limiting private sector construction.

The article discusses the differing responses to the housing crisis in various European nations. Countries like Denmark have established public housing models that prioritize affordability and sustainability. The Danish system allows for a significant portion of housing to be allocated to social needs, with about 965,000 people, or one-sixth of the population, living in social housing. The rental prices in these publicly owned homes are, on average, 40% cheaper than market prices.

Switzerland utilizes a unique cooperative housing model that aims to provide affordable and sustainable living options. Nonprofit housing cooperatives offer rentals at an average of 15% lower than the market rate, ensuring a diverse tenant mix without state subsidies. In Zurich, approximately 18% of flats are part of these cooperatives, which help keep housing costs manageable even in an expensive city. However, the overall demand continues to outpace supply, leading to rising rents for new tenants.

Despite the ongoing crisis, there are signs of political awakening regarding the need for action. Dublin is investing up to €5 billion to address housing issues, although experts like Edwards caution that such funding alone cannot resolve the crisis swiftly, as housing construction requires time. The article emphasizes that while some regions are better positioned to handle the crisis, the collective need for affordable housing across Europe is critical and urgent, necessitating comprehensive and sustainable solutions.