Affordable housing: Cohesion policy, Urban Agenda and civil society

The EESC's ECO section (Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion) has adopted an own-initiative opinion addressing the growing housing affordability crisis in the EU. This opinion examines how cohesion policy, the Urban Agenda, and civil society can contribute to ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and adequate housing. Recognising that housing is not only a social issue but also an economic and territorial one, the opinion proposes coordinated and well-financed action at EU, national and local levels to make housing a strategic component of the post-2027 cohesion policy framework.

Key points

In the opinion, ECO:

• Urges the EU to make affordable housing a strategic priority in cohesion policy beyond 2027, stressing its importance for economic competitiveness, labour mobility and regional cohesion.

• Calls for a comprehensive EU framework on affordable housing, backed by greater investment, innovative financial instruments, and coordinated action involving local authorities, civil society and the EIB.

• Recommends adapting EU rules, including State aid and SGEI definitions, and exempting housing investments from debt calculations under the Stability and Growth Pact, while linking housing policy to climate goals, labour market needs and social rights.

...

Additional information

EESC section: Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)

Opinion type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteurs: Elena-Alexandra CALISTRU (Civil Society Organisations – GR III/Romania), María del Carmen BARRERA CHAMORRO (Workers – GR II/Spain)

Reference: ECO/663-EESC

Date of adoption by section: 4/7/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 16-17/07/2025

Contact

ECO Secretariat

Email: eco@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Georgios MELEAS