The EESC has called for urgent action on Europe’s housing crisis, warning that rising rents and house prices are undermining social inclusion, labour mobility and economic competitiveness. In a recent opinion, it argued that affordable housing must become a cornerstone of EU cohesion policy.

Between 2015 and 2023, average house prices and rents in the EU rose by 48%, while wages lagged. More than 10% of urban households now spend over 40% of their disposable income on housing. The upshot of this is that many workers cannot afford to live near where they work, and labour shortages are worsening in sectors such as healthcare, education and public services.

'This is not only about access to housing, but also about access to opportunity,' said Elena Calistru, rapporteur for the opinion. 'We need a shift in how we understand housing: from a commodity to a pillar of competitiveness, inclusion and cohesion.' The EESC warns that without decisive action, inequality will deepen, and regional resilience will suffer.

While housing remains largely a national competence, the Committee calls for a stronger EU role through cohesion policy, improved coordination of funding tools, innovative financial models and greater engagement with local authorities, NGOs and civil society. It welcomes initiatives such as the Housing Task Force and the European Affordable Housing Plan but calls for broader stakeholder involvement.

The opinion also supports an EU-wide framework defining affordable housing in all its forms to give investors certainty and enable policies to address diverse regional needs. Looking ahead, the EESC wants housing investment to be a strategic priority in the post-2027 cohesion policy, with a focus on climate-resilient, sustainable homes.

It also recommends revisiting State aid rules, broadening financial instruments and redirecting unused national recovery funds towards housing. Public investment in affordable housing, it argues, should be excluded from EU debt limits.

For the EESC, the message is clear: housing is about fairness, opportunity and Europe’s social fabric. Affordable housing must be treated as a fundamental right and a shared responsibility at all levels. (tk)