Crisis, Policy & Movements

Across the continent, the housing emergency has evolved into one of the most pressing political challenges of our time. Driven by financialisation, persistent vacancy paradoxes, and a severe affordability squeeze exacerbated by the wider cost-of-living crisis, this emergency threatens European cohesion. Understanding this landscape requires examining the regulatory frameworks and democratic responses shaping the sector. From policy debates within the European Parliament and Commission to the grassroots advocacy of tenant unions, the push for systemic change is gaining momentum. This intersection of diagnosis, regulation, and civic action is crucial for designing rules that make affordable, cooperative housing possible while ensuring a just transition aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This page brings together resources mapping the political dimension of this crisis and the civic movements fighting for change. Readers can explore knowledge pieces ranging from social housing policy briefs to analyses of how Europe can tackle its affordability crisis. The collection highlights key organisations such as the European Network of Housing Research, Cedos, and cooperative societies like Allgemeine Baugenossenschaft Zürich. You can also examine concrete projects like Calico and Blaue Insel, or discover upcoming events including the Affordable Housing Initiative Days and the Philea Forum 2026. Whether you are researching policies to ensure equitable access or mapping social innovation, this cluster invites you to engage with the pan-European effort to build a brighter housing future.