By the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group

Increasing digitalisation in the construction and housing industries and involving social economy actors in housing provision services can help address current challenges related to housing affordability and sustainability in Europe. Since housing is not just a need but also a human right, a pan-European response to the various challenges is needed, according to a recent conference at the EESC. 

On 21 November, the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group organised the conference Protecting Europe’s most vulnerable through sustainable and affordable housing, where discussions centred around how the EU and its Member States could make housing conditions across Europe more inclusive, affordable and sustainable.

Séamus Boland, President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, stressed that access to adequate housing constitutes a human right that requires a pan-European approach. He highlighted the link between increasing housing prices and poverty levels, pointing out that ‘the provision of affordable and sustainable housing is central to poverty eradication’.

Mr Boland also underlined that ‘the EU anti-poverty strategy and European Affordable Housing Plan proposed by the European Commission President-elect must be part of a cross-sectoral policy approach to end poverty. This approach must involve civil society organisations throughout the entire process of designing, implementing and monitoring solutions. Sustainable housing must be examined from a broader perspective that encompasses resource efficiency, circularity, resilience, adaptation and economic accessibility’.

The event also showcased the new EESC study Affordable sustainable housing in the EU, commissioned by the Civil Society Organisations’ Group. The study explores policy solutions for achieving affordable and sustainable housing across the EU. It investigates two emerging trends: digitalisation and involving social economy actors in housing provision. The study examines innovative initiatives in six Member States, assessing their potential for broader application across Europe.

You can learn more about the medium and long-term policy recommendations of the EESC study here.

You can also consult the conclusions and recommendations of the conference.