Europe's housing crisis is a social emergency. Talented students cannot study at their dream universities. Young people cannot start families. Nurses cannot live in the cities they serve. Wealthy foreign investors are buying up prime property, pushing residents out of their neighborhoods. The reality is stark: People are forced to leave their hometowns because they can’t afford to stay.
This is the harsh reality behind the staggering figures: between 2010 and 2024, house prices in the European Union increased by 53% and rents by 25%. As a result, middle-income earners are forced to postpone major life decisions — even healthcare. Even more alarming is the growing number of people experiencing homelessness, including children.
This emergency must be tackled with all available means, at all levels.
The Socialists and Democrats offer a path forward — centered on people's need, increasing investment in affordable housing, launching a targeted housing fund, and amending EU regulations in the sector.
This article is part of The Parliament's special policy report "Addressing Europe's housing crisis"
From ideas to strategy
Europe must first and foremost reaffirm that housing is a human right. In our position paper, adopted last October, we outlined concrete solutions and demanded that they become part of the European Affordable Housing Plan put forward by the European Commission.
The EU needs to regulate short-term tourist rentals without delay. Member states should introduce proportionate measures, including caps on rental nights and zoning restrictions, in areas facing severe housing pressure. We also urge the Commission to tackle harmful tax practices that fuel property speculation.
Furthermore, the S&D is negotiating with other political groups for substantial investment in affordable, decent housing in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, alongside reforms to existing EU rules to exclude such spending from public deficit limits, ensuring sufficient flexibility. A dedicated housing fund should also be launched to shield tenants from rent hikes and illegal evictions and to eradicate homelessness.
Political bargaining
At times, this may sound like a broken record — because we have been raising the alarm for years.
We helped put housing on the EU's radar by securing the first-ever Commissioner for Housing and establishing the European Parliament's Special Committee on the Housing Crisis. The Commission presented its first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan last December. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen committed to it in exchange for our support for her re-election.
We also integrated the Parliament's first housing report, adopted by the Special Committee in February, strengthening safeguards for tenants, formally recognizing tenants' unions and addressing child homelessness.
Neither the housing plan nor the housing report is perfect. We wanted more. But both carry a strong progressive signature. Our battle does not end here — this is just the beginning of our commitment.
Almost 80% of respondents in a recent study conducted by Polling Europe see housing as a fundamental right, and 72% expect the EU to act swiftly, especially by improving access to homes for low- and middle-income earners, curbing speculation and boosting EU funding to ensure affordable homes.
Therefore, our political and moral choice is clear: Put people before profits and strive for a society of equal opportunities and shared prosperity, as we did in securing the Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages and the Directive on Improving Conditions for Platform Workers, adopted in 2022 and 2024, respectively.
We know we stand with most Europeans and will continue to do everything in our power to deliver what they want and need. We will never abandon our progressive mission because Europe must be fair and just, or it will cease to be Europe as we know it.
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