With millions of citizens facing the same shortages of labour, inflated land prices, chronic lack of supply and the speculative investment pressures, it is high time for the EU to act. We urge the European Commission to respond with clarity and ambition as it presents their housing package on Tuesday. For Renew Europe, our priorities on how to solve the housing crisis are clear and defined in our freshly adopted paper addressing the ongoing Housing emergency. We want to make it easier to build, smarter to invest and fairer to access affordable housing across borders and we believe that a credible housing strategy must set out concrete measures to boost supply, align climate and affordability objectives, and ensure that citizens, especially the young, can reclaim control over their living conditions.
Brigitte van den Berg, (D66/The Netherlands), Renew Europe's lead Member on housing says:
"Every European deserves the chance to put down roots, pursue opportunities, and fulfil their potential. Therefore, I call on the Commission to reinforce the foundations of European housing policy next week, to ensure that we build a stronger, brighter future for all. The EU will not build your home, but we must clear the path. Our duty is to ensure that laws do not stand in the way of housing supply. Decent, affordable, and sustainable housing is essential to Europe’s competitiveness, prosperity, and social cohesion. I am glad that Renew Europe's Housing paper reflects that ambition and highlights the vital role of practically skilled people. After all, bricks don't stack themselves. "
Jana Toom, (Eesti Keskerakond/Estonia), coordinator for Renew Europe in the special committee says:
"After a year full of public hearings and meetings with stakeholders and Europeans, we in Renew Europe are responding with a set of European housing solutions that we hope the Commission will include in next week's strategy. Amongst them, the EU has to play a bigger role in solving the housing crisis by revising our state aid rules.”
Among Renew Europe's responses to solve the housing crisis, are:
Removing barriers to supply: Cutting unnecessary red tape does not mean lowering standards. It means modernising approvals with digital permits, accelerating planning processes, putting vacant properties back into use, and ensuring land-use rules reflect social needs.
Aligning climate action with housing policy: Renovations, modular constructions, and circular materials are examples of how we can raise energy performance while lowering lifetime costs. Europe must treat the green transition and the housing crisis as mutually reinforcing priorities, not competing agendas.
Ensuring the next generation can afford a home: Young people are being priced out of adulthood. Targeted financing for first-time buyers, fair and secure rental options, and youth-focused guarantees should be central tools, not afterthoughts.
Empowering the workforce that will build Europe’s homes: Solving the housing crisis requires a skilled and mobile workforce. Training programmes, apprenticeships, and mutual recognition of qualifications must connect supply with demand while also ensuring that skilled workers can build their careers across the entire Union
