Beyond bandages: Towards a European Affordable Housing Plan that is fair and sustainable
Alongside a group of social and environmental NGOs active on housing, we have written a joint statement on the European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP). Our statement is calling for the EAHP to focus on integrated and holistic solutions that deliver for people and the planet. The Commission is currently preparing the Plan and is expected to publish it by the end of the year. Download our joint statement to find out why and what we are calling for.
Would you like to know more? Get in touch!
Young people have had to put up with the worst of the housing crisis. The European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) presents a real opportunity to make a difference and confront the crisis of affordability and quality head on.
Between 2010 and the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU increased by 57.9% and rents by 27.8%; 17% of Europeans live in overcrowded conditions, and around 1.27 million face homelessness. With 70% of homes in Europe being energy inefficient, 1 in 10 Europeans is unable to keep their homes adequately warm. At the same time, the building sector remains the most environmentally impactful sector within the EU, as almost one-third of the Europe’s footprint comes from buildings.
We are calling for the EAHP to:
- Be grounded in a principle of reinvesting in and expanding social housing as an essential public infrastructure.
- Promote housing affordability through a complementary mix of diverse housing models and tenure types, as well as better regulation of the private rental market.
- Leverage the potential of vacant and under-occupied buildings and spaces to avoid wasting already built square footage and revitalise neighbourhoods while creating new homes.
- Promote high-quality, circular, energy efficient and decarbonised buildings through an ambitious and fast implementation of building policies rooted in community ownership, with strong social safeguards to protect and support vulnerable households in new and existing dwellings.
- Assess existing EU policies that may undermine affordable and sustainable housing goals and align broader EU policy frameworks with the goal of ensuring affordable, accessible and adequate housing for all.
Related articles & publications
A year of courage: Thank you Lviv!
As the war remains ever present - nearly four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Lviv’s year as European Youth Capital 2025 is about to come to an end. This has not been a regular European Youth Capital year. Read our article to find out more.
Applications for the European Youth Capital 2029 are now open
Does your city have what it takes to become the next European Youth Capital? Each year, a European city is given the opportunity to showcase innovative ideas and projects done by, and for young people, improving youth participation across the continent. Apply now to become the next European Youth Capital.
COP30 Recap: youth perspective on progress and failures
We left COP30 disappointed after insufficient action on fossil fuels and sidelining of Indigenous voices. We found glimmers of hope we must build on, but that light at the end of the tunnel is very, very far away...