European Parliament Committee Calls for EU Action on Housing Affordability

European Parliament Committee Calls for EU Action on Housing Affordability

European Union: The European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis has adopted its final recommendations on addressing the housing crisis across the European Union. The report calls for EU legislation to support the viability and cost of building new housing, while also urging targeted use of funding under the Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan to improve energy performance in residential buildings and reduce energy poverty. It also recommends that all new homes meet quality standards for insulation, energy efficiency and indoor air quality, and that future rules on short-term rentals balance tourism with housing affordability in cities.

The committee also urged member states to introduce incentive-based tax systems for low- and middle-income households, reduce barriers for first-time buyers, and support long-term rentals. It called for increased EU investment through better coordination of existing funding and the reallocation of unused Recovery and Resilience Plan resources to support construction and renovation of social, public, cooperative and affordable housing. The report further recommended simplified permitting procedures, including digital systems and a 60-day deadline for permits linked to sustainable and affordable housing, alongside measures to strengthen construction supply chains, encourage ‘Made in EU’ components in EU-funded projects, and address labour shortages through training, fair wages and improved recognition of qualifications.

Source: European Union