Conference on affordable housing – addressing the European housing crisis

The conference co-organised by the European Commission and the European Parliament marks the beginning of a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to affordable housing policy, ensuring inclusive engagement with all relevant stakeholders and levels of governance.

The event will be hosted by the European Parliament in Brussels and jointly opened by Irene Tinagli, Chair of the European Parliament Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, and Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, reflecting the strong inter-institutional cooperation on this issue.  

The high-level opening session will be followed by debates with Members of the European Parliament and interactive panel discussions with stakeholders. All interested parties are invited to attend, subject to space availability. 

Registration is now closed, but you can follow the conference online without registering.

Web streaming 

Background

In December 2024, the new European Commission took office, with Dan Jørgensen as Commissioner for Energy and the first ever Commissioner for Housing. He is supported by a new Task Force for Housing, which assists the Commissioner in developing policy initiatives to be launched in the course of the mandate. The Task Force will strive to provide answers to the current affordable housing crisis across the EU and will play a coordinating role to create synergies between the different aspects of housing policy across the Commission. 

The European Parliament has established a Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, which will operate with a 12-month mandate. 

The Commission is now intensifying discussions with other EU institutions as well as Member States, regions, cities, financial institutions, the construction ecosystem, civil society, youth representatives and all relevant stakeholders. Building on this consultation process, the Commission will come forward with a comprehensive and inclusive European Affordable Housing Plan. 

“Europe faces a housing crisis, with people of all ages and families of all sizes affected. Prices and rents are soaring. People are struggling to find affordable homes. This is why, for the first time, I will appoint a Commissioner with direct responsibility for housing. We will develop a European Affordable Housing Plan, to look at all the drivers of the crisis and to help unlock the private and public investment needed. Typically, housing is not seen as a European issue. Some might say we should not get involved. But I want this Commission to support people where it matters the most. If it matters to Europeans, it matters to Europe.”

President Ursula von der Leyen, July 2024

“The current housing crisis in Europe is affecting our social cohesion and is also a major barrier to our competitiveness. Too many people simply cannot afford to buy or rent a decent place in the city where they live or have found a job. We need to ensure more funding for housing, improve construction standards and procedures and make better use of empty buildings. The Commission is working with Member States, regions, cities, the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank, other financial institutions, and the construction sector to deliver European solutions that work for all.” 

Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, March 2025

Next steps

Following the launch event on 24 March, the European Commission will publish in April a call for evidence for the European Affordable Housing Plan, followed by a public consultation June and October. This will be complemented by a series of themed expert seminars and hearings between April and December, among them, before the summer

• High-Level Construction Forum on 25 March 
• Expert seminar on sustainable tourism and short-term accommodation rentals 
• Expert seminar on understanding the role of investment in housing markets
• Expert seminar on land use and permitting regulation and procedures
• Youth Dialogue on housing

The Commission will further draw on the input of a Housing Advisory Board of independent experts providing recommendations in their personal capacity. A call for applications will be published later in April. 

We continue working with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, Europe's national promotional banks (NPBs) and international financial institutions (IFIs) to develop a new pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing.

Related links

• Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing 
• Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union