Study - Affordable sustainable housing in the EU

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is planning to launch a procurement procedure for a study on Affordable sustainable housing in the EU.

WHAT IS THIS PUBLICITY ABOUT?

This announcement is made pursuant to Annex I.14 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, to award a low value contract for a study as a result of a negotiated procurement procedure. It is published ahead of the procurement procedure with basic information on the subject matter of the contract, to give economic operators the possibility to express interest in participating as tenderers in the subsequent procurement procedure.

DESCRIPTION

Background

This study is being launched at the request of the EESC's Civil Society Organisations' Group (Group III). It is in line with the Group's focus on the fight against poverty during the 2023-2025 mandate and it will feed into Group III activities on the topic and wider EESC work.

It is also linked to two recent EESC opinions:

• TEN/757 New European Bauhaus
• TEN/723 A Renovation Wave for Europe

As shown by a recent EPRS study, affordable housing has become less accessible in recent years. Housing conditions have deteriorated and rental costs and housing prices have been increasing relative to households' disposable income. In the present geopolitical context, these developments are likely to be aggravated and risk further affecting those who are already at risk of poverty and social exclusion, leading to higher levels of homelessness. In addition, given the high energy demand of the residential sector and the environmental impacts of the construction industry, the question of housing is also inextricably linked to the green transition, which will require substantial investments in energy efficiency measures and renovations[1].

Purpose and tasks

Against this background, the proposed study should contribute to the reflection on possible policy solutions by examining a number of initiatives taken at (sub)national level with the aim of alleviating the shortage of affordable and sustainable housing and how these could be relevant in a European context. The study should contribute to the debate by scrutinising possible innovative practices, especially in the following areas:

1. Digitalisation: A main focus shall be put on the potential benefits of the digitalisation of building permits, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to reduce building time and costs, on the establishment of a relevant database for buildings in the EU, on recycling and thereby supporting a circular economy, on digital exchange and transfer of European best practices in affordable and sustainable housing and on other relevant factors.
2. Structures in housing, property development and social economy: structures and (legal) frameworks can differ considerably in different countries and have a strong impact on costs and the quality of housing, e.g. in some countries, housing space is provided and governed by non-profit organisations and housing associations (for instance the limited-profit housing associations in Austria).

For each of the above-mentioned focus areas, the study will define and review a number of existing best practice initiatives in EU Member States in order to determine their legal contexts, effectiveness and potential in contributing to affordable and sustainable housing. The study should also give a short overview of potentially relevant factors that have an impact on the quality (social, ecological and cultural sustainability) and affordability of housing.

The study shall provide policy recommendations for decent, fair and sustainable housing conditions in the medium term and also perspectives for the future (up to 2030 and the following two decades). It is also directly linked to the European Pillar of Social Rights and in particular Principle 19, which envisages "Housing and assistance for the homeless" and the related action plan. It should also pay attention to the involvement of various stakeholders, such as civil society organisations, social economy actors or liberal professionals, who can contribute to the formulation of affordable housing policies and their effectiveness.

The study should rely on desk research, including an analysis of existing indicators, and will include a qualitative part with stakeholder interviews.

N.B.: The above description is indicative. The final list of tasks will be provided as part of the tender specifications at a later stage. Economic operators with expertise on the topic are encouraged to express their interest via the form below.

Languages/geographical area

The study should be carried out in English and cover the European Union, with a limited number of case studies in a selection of Member States.

Indicative timeline

1. Launch of the invitation to tender: Second quarter 2023.
2. Contract award: Third quarter 2023.
3. The final study report is expected within 10 months following the signature of the contract.
4. Deadline for submission of tenders: approximately Third quarter 2023.

WHO MAY EXPRESS INTEREST TO BE INVITED IN THE SUBSEQUENT CALL FOR TENDERS?

Participation is open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons established in the European Union (EU) or in a third country which has a special agreement with the EU in the field of public procurement on the conditions laid down in that agreement. This includes:

• All EU Member States;
• Parties to special international agreements with the EU in the field of public procurement:
  • European Economic Area agreement (EEA): Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein;
  • Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAA): North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST

Entities established in a country that has access to the procurement can express interest in participating in the planned procedure by filling in and submitting the contact form (see link at the bottom of this page).

DATA PROTECTION

By submitting your contact details, you consent to the EESC processing this personal data in line with this Privacy Statement. To access, change or delete your data at any moment, please contact the data controller by sending an email to studies-eesceesc [dot] europa [dot] eu.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that this announcement does not create any obligation for the EESC to launch a procurement procedure. The EESC will take the submitted information into account only to identify potential candidates. Expressing interest to participate in this type of negotiated procedure does not create any legal right or legitimate expectation on the part of any economic operator, and the EESC has the right to cancel the procedure at any time. The documents of the actual call for tenders (invitation letter, tender specifications and draft contract) will only be provided to the identified candidates when the procedure is launched, and any tender received from a legal or natural person not invited to tender will be rejected.