The Fight for Affordable Housing: A First Step Forward for European Citizens

Today, the European Parliament's special committee on the housing crisis took an important step as its first-ever report addressing Europe's worsening housing challenges was adopted by 367 votes in favour. The report calls for stronger EU action to help cities and regions support people struggling to find a decent and affordable home.

Stefan Löfven, President of the Party of European Socialists, said:

"For us socialists and social democrats, this is a meaningful first achievement, but also a reminder of how far the European Union still has to go. Thanks to the persistent work of our progressive family, housing is finally on the EU's political map. Our pressure made possible the appointment of the first European Commissioner for Housing, Dan Jørgensen, the establishment of the special parliamentary committee, and the launch of Europe's first affordable housing plan. For our progressive family, the housing crisis remains one of Europe's defining social challenges. Today's vote shows that progress is possible, but only if the EU continues to act with greater determination and ambition to ensure everyone has a right to a decent, affordable House. We will continue to fight to make decent and affordable housing for everyone."

Thanks to the S&Ds' efforts, the draft report includes commitments to regulate short-term rentals, boost EU investment in social and affordable housing, tackle housing speculation, and work to eradicate homelessness.

For Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, S&D negotiator on the report, this vote represents a first step towards meaningful EU-level action, but real change will require going much further. The conservatives repeatedly blocked stronger measures that could have delivered greater protection for tenants and communities across Europe. Negotiations over this report were particularly complex, as the EPP increasingly aligned with the far right. Despite these challenges, progressives ensured that key priorities made it into the final text, but more ambition is needed to fully tackle Europe's housing crisis.

The S&D Group acknowledges that reaffirming a home as a fundamental right for everyone has been an arduous battle in the European Parliament to achieve our goals, but this text is a first step.