The European Affordable Housing Plan presents a critical opportunity to address the multiple housing crises affecting millions of people across the EU. Between 2010 and the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU increased by 57.9% and rents by 27.8%; 17% of Europeans live in overcrowded conditions, and around 1.27 million face homelessness. With 70% of homes in Europe being energy inefficient, 1 in 10 Europeans is unable to keep their homes adequately warm. At the same time, the building sector remains the most environmentally impactful sector within the EU, as almost one third of Europe’s footprint comes from buildings.

Against this backdrop, REScoop.eu, together with other social and environmental organisations, welcomes the European Affordable Housing Plan and calls for integrated and holistic solutions that deliver for people and the planet, rejecting the false choice between affordability and sustainability. In this policy paper, we call on EU policy makers to support measures that aim at making sustainable, citizen-led, affordable and social non-profit housing a significant portion of the housing stock.

To ensure long-term affordability and sustainability, the plan should promote high-quality, circular, energy efficient and decarbonised buildings, for example through citizen-led renovation initiatives.