Housing Europe

The Affordable Housing Initiative shifts to another gear 🔺 Housing Europe continues to lead the Affordable Housing Initiative Accelerator Programme in its second phase, turning districts all across Europe into a reference point for a new housing paradigm. In partnership with European Builders Confederation EBC, ECTP - European Construction and sustainable built environment Technology Platform, Energy Cities, GNE Finance, and SINTEF, and co-funded by the 🇪🇺 EU, the programme is all about the creation and renewal of sustainable, inclusive neighbourhoods. Building on its 2022–2024 success—guiding 22 districts, developing renovation blueprints, and helping local actors to improve their renovation projects—the 2024–2026 phase is even more ambitious. ⏫ With 35 Lighthouse Districts, hands-on workshops, study visits, and webinars, the initiative will deliver practical tools for energy-efficient, affordable housing. 🥂 The official kick-off of Phase II is taking place on December 5, at the European Commission Charlemagne building in Brussels and we have just a couple of final spots left. Make sure to register today - https://lnkd.in/e45Sygve You will hear firsthand from Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Amaryllis Verhoeven from DG GROW, MEP Marcos Ros Sempere, and our own President, Bent Madsen. We will also have a debate and lunch with the local housing experts, cities and SMEs who invested energy, knowledge, and time to work towards an ambitious and socially-just Renovation Wave. #AffordableHousingInitative

Congratulations, Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, and the entire College! Housing is not just an individual challenge—it’s a collective one. Delivering truly affordable, sustainable, and decent homes requires all hands on deck. As Europe’s housing sector takes centre stage, the big question remains: where and how do people want to live ❓ This BBC StoryWorks short film is a glimpse into what could be your strongest ally for better systems—public, cooperative, and social housing—told through the voices of those who live and work in them.

Just a stone's throw away from the NATO headquarters in Evere in Brussels, lifeless, empty office buildings are being transformed into vibrant social housing at Le Jules. This is one of the 1,000 buildings that Housing Europe's member, SLRB • BGHM, has acquired since 2018. Brussels' social housing provider opted to buy private properties instead of delaying the delivery of homes due to building permits, which can take up to 6-7 years. In around 8 months, 80 apartments will emerge from previously boring glass offices, showcasing sustainable practices by reusing materials and collaborating with a small local company that will give new life to the insulation and acoustic ceilings. A collective heat pump and solar panels will be used to warm the homes. Residents can look forward to community terraces in addition to their own balconies and a bike parking. 👂 Yesterday, during a panel discussion, the mood in Brussels felt heavy—political uncertainty and profit-before-people visions prevail. Yet stories like this from Housing Europe's network—and there are many—are transforming lives daily. It’s time to scale up.

"Governments must move away from blind reliance on the market and recognise that the backbone of the housing systems is public, cooperative, and social housing. This cannot be a sector we turn to only when we see inability to take care of people fleeing wars or people sleeping rough. It is a strong basis, not a last resort." These were the two clear asks Housing Europe's Secretary-General, Sorcha Edwards stressed today at the European Economic and Social Committee debate on how we can protect the most vulnerable citizens through resilient and affordable homes. 🥊 Time for some myth-busting Did you know that 75% of Austrian households are eligible to rent homes provided by limited-profit housing associations? Even before subsidies, these homes are rented at 30% below market rates, offering affordability to middle-class families. The secret? The cost-rental model, where rents only cover the costs of land, construction, financing, and maintenance. For those in greater need, subsidies and loans make housing even more accessible. And here is the kicker: once a loan is repaid, surpluses as little as €2 per square metre are turned into equity and re-invested into future housing projects, ensuring affordability for generations. As our member, Bernd Rießland, from the Austrian Federation of Limited-Profit Housing Associations, explained: “The sector is loved by lenders and the banking sectors for security in investment.” This system has been thriving for over a century in Austria, proving that a self-sustaining model is not just possible—it is scalable. ⏳ With just days before the new College of 🇪🇺 Commissioners begins its mandate, we hope this resonates. However, as Rießland warned, housing expertise is still lacking at the EU level. Inexperienced firms are often invited to advise on housing strategies. Local knowledge and sector-specific expertise are crucial—outsiders risk falling short. 💪 Encouraging signs A new European Economic and Social Committee report rightly highlights public, cooperative, and social housing as essential pillars of resilient systems. Housing Europe's Sorcha Edwards pointed out that Dutch social housing has already invested €10 billion (solely for energy renovation and maintenance). However, they also must be supported by economic rules at different levels. For countries without these organisations, especially in Eastern Europe, we must work to build similar structures, using the extensive knowledge already available. In the political sphere, MEP Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D Group) delivered a promising commitment: the 🌹 Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament will urge the incoming Energy and Housing Commissioner to establish "a firm, strong budget as part of cohesion policy, focusing on housing for investments to be made in renovation and for homes in the EU to be produced publicly."

Happy to see that the call for better #funding and financing solutions to increase the share of social, public and cooperative #housing across Europe was answered by so many people💙🏘️ 🔵Participants were welcomed by Legacoop Lombardia President Attilio Dadda, who emphasized the importance of diversity in housing and the key role of cooperatives. Housing Europe Secretary General Sorcha Edwards underlined that knowledge, exchange, and collaboration are the foundation of the Finance Working Group. 🔵Mario Nava from the European Commission’s DG EMPL highlighted housing's impact on the labour market, calling for EU-level action and noting the importance of the #Affordable Housing Plan proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Pierfrancesco Maran MEP stressed the need for European legislation, asserting that national solutions alone cannot resolve the housing crisis. 🔵Johannes M. Boehmer, CEB - Council of Europe Development Bank Vice-Governor, acknowledged political fragility in many countries and called for collective knowledge to address housing as a human right. Andrea Colantonio, Lead Economist at the European Investment Bank (EIB), emphasized the critical role of financial intermediaries in understanding local needs, legislation, and housing provider capacities. Philippe Moseley from the European Commission highlighted that a well-functioning single market could help reduce #construction costs. 🔵Daniel Ryšávka, Director of Czechia’s Housing Investment Fund, advocated for combining grants and funding, like the Recovery and Resilience Fund, to aid municipalities in creating affordable housing. 🔵Helmut von Glasenapp, Secretary General of the European Association of Long-Term Investors (ELTI), called for tailored funding solutions. João Carvalhosa from GEBALIS, Portugal, noted the need for reform, as low social housing rents depend heavily on public funding. 🔵Rossana Zaccaria from Legacoop Abitanti Italy proposed a housing investment platform built on strong commitments from central, regional, and local authorities. 🔵From DG GROW, Amaryllis Verhoeven paraphrased the four main elements that the Commissioner Designate for Housing Dan Jørgensen put forward: 1. Embrace 🇪🇺 core values 2. Seek partnership 3. Investment 4. Innovation #financial #social #technical 'We need finance to be able to help people' concluded Housing Europe President Bent Madsen. 🙋♀️The event ended with a pitching session, during which representatives of not-for-profit housing from Italy, Belgium or Ukraine sat at the table with the European Investment Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank and other technical assistance providers (ELENA, Urbis). Thanks to all the excellent speakers, generous supporters and curious participants! Main declarations➡️https://lnkd.in/eeWCysJt See you next year in Czechia!

Ahead of the election of the EU’s first Commissioner for Energy and Housing, we cut to the chase: housing isn’t just a policy issue—it’s essential infrastructure. Here is a snippet from the interview of Housing Europe's Secretary-General, Sorcha Edwards with Danish journalist Christoffer Frendesen. "We need to see housing as a basic part of infrastructure that is as important as health and education. It is necessary for an efficient society where everyone can be part of the economy and society. [...] A new paradigm must ensure that local authorities and Member States don't just see housing as a short-term investment for profit. Instead, we need responsible investments that deliver what society needs - affordable housing." Read his full analysis on Substack: https://lnkd.in/ePm6Z4gm

🔴Going live in a few minutes from the European Resposible Housing Finance Summit! Join us online: Zoom ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d94Km6Hu YouTube➡️ https://lnkd.in/djhNsAmA Legacoop Abitanti Legacoop Lombardia CEB - Council of Europe Development Bank Regione Lombardia Laudes Foundation

"Cooperative housing is not just "OK, congrats, you have your home". They have, you know, different resources available. So, if you're struggling to make your payments, if you're struggling just to settle in because we are in an apartment and they did state that they understand apartment living can be isolating - so, if you're struggling, reach out. They really kind of push you to become a part of the community and just to realise that this is your home, and they want you to know that." Shawna, living in a home of Co-operative Housing Ireland in County Wicklow, a region south of 🇮🇪 Dublin Great to hear solutions in an incredibly complex housing situation in Ireland. After all the jargon that we see see in this space... "community-led", "social innovation", "affordable housing", this is what Housing Europe's network does in practice. "If you're struggling, you reach out." This is the major difference between public, cooperative, or social housing and landlords who have never seen the families living in their apartments. #NewHousingParadigm Credits: RTE Upfront

When housing ministers met in Liège this March, they committed to an yearly EU Summit on Social and Affordable Housing. While this might seem like an achievable goal, it is important to note that prior to the EU French Presidency's invitation to all 27 ministers in Nice in 2022, national governments responsible for housing had not met for a whole 13 years. Now, 📰 in a joint declaration, Baiba Miltovica, President of the European Economic and Social Committee’s Transport, Energy, and Infrastructure Section, and our Estonian Board Member, Andres Jaadla whose report on smart, sustainable, and affordable housing was adopted by the European Committee of the Regions, are reminding the European Commission to turn these commitments into action. “Both the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions have long been committed to developing affordable, sustainable housing across the EU. Their constituencies are at the forefront of the housing crisis and offer valuable insights on combating energy poverty and promoting social cohesion,” the declaration reads. Housing Europe stands firmly behind this declaration, advocating for a democratic, well-informed response to the increasingly dire housing situation that is based on facts and real experiences.

"Homelessness is a complex phenomenon, but still, I think that we can conquer it," Roxana Minzatu, Commission's Executive Vice-President in charge of People, Skills and Preparedness (if approved) said last night during her 3-hour "interview" at the European Parliament. Through the lens of fair, decent, and affordable housing, we see her enthusiasm and a can-do attitude—a crucial combination. Only genuine care and relentless effort will keep people’s faith in the European project alive. 🧠 What promises will Housing Europe remember and monitor during Commissioner Mînzatu's mandate? 1️⃣ The Commissioner's commitment to connect the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan with the Anti-Poverty Strategy so that it "addresses the raise and increase of the prices, even for categories that are now at the extreme poverty." 2️⃣ Mînzatu vowed to add a "strong chapter on homelessness" in the EU Affordable Housing Plan because eradicating the problem by 2030 is a battle that she wants us to collectively "fight with all our energies". The Commissioner pledged to advocate for increased funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, starting in 2028.  Rightly so, she showed determination to work with key organisations, experts, and local authorities on the needs. 👍 The Commissioner hit the right tone saying she will ensure that the Plan "will tackle the root causes whatever the age, gender, geographic situation or energy poverty, transport insecurity, or a lack of basic services or housing." She also stressed how essential social services will be to combat homelessness. Two key demands of Housing Europe's pre-election Manifesto. 3️⃣ Make a mental note of this quote: "Let's face it, for me at least, the important aspect will be to make sure that we offer solutions in terms of investment, in terms of, funding, public, private, State Aid and all kinds of models that will put forward will tackle those that are more in need." 4️⃣ Speaking of EU money and investment, Romania's candidate also underlined she will be a champion to include a social criteria in public procurement, working closely with Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné. Correct, EU money must benefit all 450 million people in Europe instead of filling up already full pockets. 5️⃣ In charge also of preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu pointed out that "Europe is an athlete in a very complex competition, one that needs to step up on its preparation, on its training, on building its stamina so that it can both empower and protect its people from young age to old age." Our team will ✉️ post our brief on climate adaptation and preparedness in public, cooperative, and social housing in her first months of work. 6️⃣ We are expecting the confirmed new action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights and will insist that Principle 19 on decent housing receives the careful attention it deserves.