The European Affordable Housing Plan
Our houses, our homes, are the building blocks of our communities, the foundation of our society and democracy. Housing is not just a commodity, but a fundamental right and a cornerstone of human dignity. But across Europe, there is a palpable feeling of injustice at the sheer unaffordability and unavailability of housing.
The European Affordable Housing plan sets out to support all levels of national authorities and bring stakeholders together, to bring affordable housing to all Europeans.
It's based on 4 pillars.
Boosting housing supply
Mobilising investment
Enabling immediate support while driving reforms
Protecting the most affected
Strengthening the productivity and innovation in constructionThe European Strategy for Housing Construction will promote advanced construction materials and methods, such as offsite and modular construction, and digitalisation to increase resource efficiency and reduce building costs.
- Cutting red tape to accelerate housing supply
The new housing simplification package will reduce administrative burden, accelerate permitting and renovation and improve cost efficiency.
- Combining affordability, sustainability and quality in housing
Innovative materials and construction techniques will be utilised to ensure housing is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and of high quality, in line with the New European Bauhaus and building on its blueprints and innovations.
- Mobilising additional public and private investment
Creation of a new Pan-European Investment Platform in cooperation with the European Investment Bank, national and regional promotional banks, and other international financial institutions.
- Revise State aid rules enabling faster and simpler public support for social and affordable housing
Revised State aid rules to facilitate support for social and affordable housing projects without prior notification and authorisation by the Commission.
- Addressing short-term rentals in areas under housing stress
Propose a new legislative initiative on short-term rentals to mitigate their impact on local housing affordability, maintaining a balance with tourism benefits.
- Addressing speculation in the housing market
Identify speculative behaviours and promote transparency in the residential market.
- Driving forward Member States’ structural reforms
Encourage reforms in areas such as spatial planning, social housing, and taxation, reducing complexity and enhancing housing supply.
- Housing for young people
Mobilising investment for student housing, promote innovative housing models for young people, help mobile students from disadvantaged background.
- Preventing and addressing homelessness
Expand social housing and support people in vulnerable situations.
Coming in 2026
A summit where experts, policymakers, and stakeholders gather to share insights, drive discussions, and establish actionable solutions for housing challenges across the EU.
The Housing Alliance will convene stakeholders and facilitate the exchange of successful strategies and collaborative solutions for housing policy implementation.
Learn more
European Affordable Housing Plan (PDF in English)
European Affordable Housing Plan in all official EU languages on EUR-lex
Press release: Commission takes action for more affordable housing across Europe
Question and answers on the European Affordable Housing Plan
Factsheet on the European Affordable Housing Plan (French and German versions available)
Understanding the housing crisis (Staff Working Document)
Open Public Consultation Synopsis Report
27 data factsheets on the housing market in each EU Member State
Revision of State aid rules
Targeted revision of the SGEI rules for affordable housing
Revision of State aid rules on Services of General Economic Interest (ZIP file)
Questions and Answers on the Revision of State aid rules on Services of General Economic Interest (PDF)
Strategy for Housing Construction
European Strategy for Housing Construction (PDF)
Questions and Answers on the European Strategy for Housing Construction (PDF)
Working Plan for the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) (PDF)
European Construction Observatory’s report mapping the current skills needs (PDF)
New European Bauhaus
Communication on the New European Bauhaus (NEB)
Proposal for a Council Recommendation on the New European Bauhaus (NEB)
Factsheet on the New European Bauhaus Communication
News article on the on the New European Bauhaus Communication
The Affordable Housing Dialogue
In the preparations for the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan, the Commission carried out the Affordable Housing Dialogue throughout 2025. The scope was to collect knowledge and data from stakeholders across Member States.
- 12 May – 4 June 2025Call for evidence
313 stakeholders and citizens contributed to the call for evidence that closed 4 June 2025.
- 11 July 2025 - 17 October 2025Public consultation
The Commission held a public consultation, aiming at collecting views from general public and experts on possible policy solutions. Over 13.000 replies were gathered.
- 20 November2025The Housing Advisory Board delivered recommendations to the Commission
The Housing Advisory Board is an expert group tasked with providing concrete, independent policy recommendations for the Commission to consider in preparing the European Affordable Housing Plan. Commissioner Jørgensen personally received their recommendations.
- 16 December 2025Presentation of the European Affordable Housing Plan
The European Affordable Housing Plan was presented together with a revision of State aid rules on services of general interest to better support affordable housing, a European Strategy for Housing Construction, and a Communication and proposal for a Council recommendation on the New European Bauhaus. It will be complemented in 2026 by a Citizens Energy Package aimed at further lowering energy bills, delivering a just transition, eradicating energy poverty and empowering people and communities.