Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash
A conference has been told that greater use of digitalisation in the construction and housing industry can bring opportunities to tackle the issue of housing affordability in Europe.
Since housing is not just a need but a human right a pan-European response to the various challenges is needed, the conference heard.
It was organised by the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) at which a new EESC study on the subject was presented.
Many Europeans struggle to find affordable housing. In the EU in 2023, housing costs exceeded 40% of the disposable income for 10.6% of urban and 7% of rural households.
According to a poll, rising prices and the cost of living (42%) and the economic situation (41%) were the main issues motivating people to vote in the European elections.
This prompted the EESC to organise a conference to discuss how the EU and its Member States can make housing conditions across Europe more inclusive, affordable and sustainable.
The event was attended by civil society representatives from the national and the European level, as well as institutional stakeholders.
Séamus Boland, President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, opened the event by stressing 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. “The provision of affordable and sustainable housing is central to poverty eradication”, he said.
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.
In fact, residential housing is responsible for 17% of all global green-house gas emissions. This demonstrates the links between housing and sustainability, it was claimed.
S&D MEP Marcos Ros Sempere said “The housing problem is a major concern for all Europeans and prevents young people from starting an independent life. For the very first time, we will have a Commissioner for Energy and Housing, and the Parliament will create a special committee on Housing. We will work on a European Affordable Housing Strategy. This EU legislature will be key to advance on proposals to solve the housing crisis.”
The event featured the presentation of a study, ‘Affordable sustainable housing in the EU’ that was commissioned by the EESC.
Agnieszka Maj, co-author of the study and economist at the Centre for Social and Economic Research (CASE), said: “A New European Deal for Affordable Sustainable Housing is essential and should prioritise digitalisation, the social economy and innovative policies to ensure accessible housing for all”.
The study explores policy solutions for affordable and sustainable housing in the EU. It investigates two emerging trends: digitalisation and the integration of social economy actors into housing provision.
The study also examines innovative initiatives in six Member States – Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland and Spain – and determines their potential in the European context.
Conference participants called for solutions, particularly to address the housing problems faced by the most vulnerable groups in European societies, including people with disabilities and the Roma community.
