Conclusions and recommendations

On 21 November 2024, the Civil Society Organisations' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised the conference Protecting Europe's most vulnerable through sustainable and affordable housing. The discussion was in connection with the ongoing EESC opinion Social housing in the EU - decent, sustainable and affordable, the recently published EESC study Affordable Sustainable Housing in the EU carried out by the Centre for Social and Economic Research (CASE) and the announcement of the creation of a dedicated Commissioner for Energy and Housing. Institutional and civil society actors discussed the current challenges of the EU housing markets, especially for the most vulnerable populations. They identified best practices across the European Union thanks to case studies and established priorities for the upcoming Affordable Housing Plan in the new mandate of the European Commission.

Ensuring affordable housing as a way to tackle poverty in the EU

• All across Europe, the housing crisis is putting populations under an important financial burden, undermining social inclusion and increasing the risk of poverty. According to Eurostat, 10,6% of EU households in cities and 7% in rural areas spent more than 40% of their disposable income on housing. Since 2015, housing prices increased by 48% and rents by 18% on average.
• The lack of affordable housing is therefore an integral element of the growing levels of poverty in the European Union. More than 1 in 5 adults, as well as 1 in 4 children are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Poverty is often transgenerational and is not only a matter of the lack of access to basic needs, but creates a profound impact on people's identity and self-confidence.
• The Civil Society Organisations' Group welcomes the announcement of the European Commission to set up an EU anti-poverty strategy, but calls for the full eradication of poverty, as outlined in the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
• A new comprehensive European Deal for Affordable Sustainable Social Housing should be established with long-term perspectives, linked to a Special Committee for Housing at the European Parliament involving different stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
• Civil society should be represented in decision-making. An open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society organisations in all policy areas, as the Civil Society Organisations' Group called for in an Open Letter to the EU institutions, is key to effective policies and cohesive and resilient communities.
• The Civil Society Organisations' Group welcomes the intention of the European Commission to raise the crucial importance of housing in policy-making through a dedicated portfolio and calls on the European Commission to include in its Affordable Housing Action Plan the specificities of vulnerable groups in the housing market.

Promoting an integrated approach for affordable, sustainable and accessible housing

• Housing is a basic social need, and a social right, as underlined in Chapter 3 of the European Pillar for Social Rights as well as in Article 34 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It ensures dignity and social inclusion for every citizen of the European Union.
• The diversity of challenges faced by European citizens in the housing market calls for an integrated approach. The European Action Plan for Affordable Housing needs to acknowledge the specificities of housing situations for different types of families, people with disabilities, young people and discriminated populations.
• Community-based solutions are essential to foster trust and meet local needs. These initiatives are the backbone of the housing system and represent over 12% of the total market. There are 43 000 such organisations across the EU delivering 250 000 homes every year, as outlined by the EESC opinion Social housing in the EU - decent, sustainable and affordable. They need to be supported with economic rules at local, national and European levels.
• A Special Committee for Housing at the European Parliament needs to be set up, in order to examine all sectors. It should involve different stakeholders ranging from entrepreneurs, companies and public authorities to put forward a series of recommendations addressed to all public and private bodies in the EU.
• In order to promote affordable rents in the single market, we need to address regulatory problems to avoid speculation in the housing market. An effective use of fundings such as the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has to be ensured, improving transparent measures of monitoring and reporting to maximise the impact of these resources.
• A harmonised approach for minimum standards across the EU should be a flagship in the incoming Action Plan. More flexibility should be granted for state aid across the Member States to allow public and private investments, as well as to introduce regulation for rental prices.

Investing in a sustainable, equitable future and enhancing social cohesion

• With the current climate crisis and increasing energy poverty levels, an Affordable Housing Action Plan cannot be implemented without an approach towards sustainability. We need to ensure quality houses, properly insulated and adapted to possible extreme weather events. A twin transition towards affordable and sustainable housing has to take place.
• Residential housing is a major polluter, responsible for 17% of all greenhouse gas emissions. We have to manage the transition away from poorly insulated and energy inefficient housing. The EU Cohesion Policy budget has to invest in renovating buildings for energy renewal to mitigate energy costs while ensuring a sustainable future.
• Local and regional authorities should be able to act at their level. A better cooperation between the stakeholders will allow for a more coherent legislative framework. Therefore, an EU Housing Directive needs to be drafted, delivering best practices to Member States.
• An inclusive Housing Action Plan needs to be available to people with disabilities and older people. The multiannual financial framework should have a fund for accessibility within the new action plan for new and renovated housing as well as accessible neighbourhoods. This strategy will also be an investment for the future, as an ageing population in Europe requires better infrastructure for older people with limited mobility.
• The recently published EESC study Affordable Sustainable Housing in the EU explores digital solutions in the housing sector across Member States to promote best practices. It calls for interoperable and flexible solutions, setting up digitalised platforms to speed up processes while involving users.
• In order to be efficient, the new EU Affordable Housing Action Plan needs to have a long-term perspective and aim for economic, social and environmental sustainability across all Member States.