Statement
Beyond bandages: Towards a European Affordable Housing Plan that is fair and sustainable
Europe’s housing crisis is urgent, and it is a marker of social and environmental injustices. The upcoming EU European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) can change this - but only if it goes beyond 'build more' and tackles root causes. FEANTSA, along with a group of social and environmental NGOs active on housing, have written a joint statement on the European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP).
We recommend that the EAHP:
- Be grounded in a principle of reinvesting in and expanding social housing as an essential public infrastructure.
- Promote housing affordability through a complementary mix of diverse housing models and tenure types, as well as better regulation of the private rental market.
- Leverage the potential of vacant and underoccupied buildings and spaces to avoid wasting already built square footage and revitalise neighbourhoods while creating new homes.
- Promote high-quality, circular, energy efficient and decarbonised buildings through an ambitious and fast implementation of building policies rooted in community ownership, with strong social safeguards to protect and support.
vulnerable households in new and existing dwellings. - Assess existing EU policies that may undermine affordable and sustainable housing goals and align broader EU policy frameworks with the goal of ensuring affordable, accessible and adequate housing for all.