At a high-level conference co-organised with Eurofound, the EESC highlighted the need for coordinated solutions to Europe’s housing issues, which have become one of today’s most pressing social and economic challenges.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) continues to shine a spotlight on the housing emergency. At a conference in Dublin on 10 November held in partnership with Eurofound, the Committee pointed out that the EU now needs effective measures and practical solutions. The end goal: increase the supply of affordable and sustainable housing, improve access to it and bolster a consistent European response that fully respects Member States’ powers.

The conference, entitled Beyond Affordable Housing: Structural Solutions to Europe’s Housing Crisis, and an associated presidency event under Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, brought together around 100 representatives from EU institutions, national, regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society organisations and academia.

Held at a time when housing has become one of Europe’s most pressing social and economic challenges, the event came ahead of the informal meeting of housing ministers scheduled to take place on 25-26 November. It also contributed to the work of the European Housing Alliance launched on 19 June 2026 by promoting the exchange of knowledge and good practices and coming up with concrete recommendations for future action.

Urgent need for practical solutions

The housing crisis is increasingly affecting people across Europe and becoming a major source of social concern. Recent protests in several European countries have underlined the urgency of addressing housing affordability and access.

According to a recent Eurofound study, since 2010 property sales prices in Europe have risen by 55% on average and rents by 27%. For many people, increases in income levels have not kept pace. While the housing crisis is widespread, some population groups are at greater risk of facing housing affordability problems: younger people, households with dependent children and older people. Unaffordable housing is likely to trigger four types of problems: housing exclusion, housing insecurity, financial strain caused by housing costs and housing inadequacy.

For the EESC, as representative of EU organised civil society, the priority is to move from recognition of the housing crisis to practical solutions that can make a tangible difference to people’s lives. This means increasing the supply of affordable, sustainable and quality housing so that supply can better respond to demand.

At the same time, the Committee points out that increasing supply alone is not enough. Housing should be treated as a fundamental right, not a financial asset. Particular attention needs to be paid to people in vulnerable situations and those experiencing homelessness, including through preventive measures and long-term solutions, for instance ‘Housing First’ policies.

The way ahead

The current momentum at European level needs to be translated into effective implementation. Following the European Affordable Housing Plan unveiled in December 2025 and the Affordable Housing Act proposed in September 2026, the European Commission now intends to present a Housing Simplification Package in 2027, with a view to accelerating the supply of affordable, sustainable and quality housing.

For its part, the EESC has already put forward concrete recommendations in a number of opinions, in particular Making Housing Affordable – Increasing Modern Methods of Construction and Lowering Costs, adopted in September, and Fighting housing exclusion and homelessness among children, families and young people, adopted in October.

In December, the Committee is expected to adopt an opinion on the EU Affordable Housing Act.

Quotes from high-level speakers

‘Affordable housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing Europeans today. Our discussions at this special conference in Dublin today underline that there is no single solution to this crisis. The EU, Member States and civil society must work together to increase affordable housing, unlock investment and protect those most at risk. Housing is about more than a roof over our heads. It is about dignity, security and trust in our societies.’

Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

‘I am very pleased that Eurofound and the EESC are deepening their cooperation. This conference highlights the need for structural solutions to Europe’s housing crisis. It re-affirms Eurofound’s findings that the crisis disproportionately impacts young people and low-paid workers in ways headline statistics fail to capture, as well as the EESC’s commitment to placing civil dialogue front and centre while tackling territorial inequalities.’

Ivailo Kalfin, Eurofound’s Executive Director

‘It is important and urgent to tackle Europe’s housing crisis. This crisis undermines dignity and fairness, it threatens our competitiveness, and the impacts are felt throughout our societies. Across Europe, our citizens are calling for action and support. For this, we want to work with all of you to bring forward new ideas and innovations, to build on local and national experiences and to foster a spirit of cooperation across society and borders.’

Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

‘Our recommendations focus first and foremost on how we tackle the homelessness issue, using the likes of “Housing First” policies, on the definition of energy affordability, and on how we raise finance and plan investment. In doing that, we can restore confidence in our democracies, from local government right up to our European Union. More than anything else, it is through the Housing Alliance that we can bring people in, listen to different views, get the best ideas and start delivering.’

Eamon Ryan, Chair of the European Commission’s Housing Advisory Board

‘Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU is a significant opportunity to coordinate action within the EU on the housing challenges that we face to ensure that this momentum translates into practical support and tangible improvements in housing supply and affordability. Strong and effective cooperation between Member States, the European institutions, organised civil society and regional and local authorities is essential to tackling Europe’s housing crisis and delivering for its citizens’.

James Browne, Ireland’s Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage