The coronavirus crisis has made life even more difficult for the most deprived people in our society… To protect them, as well the workers and volunteers delivering aid to them, and ensure no one falls through the net, the EU has had to take some exceptional measures…

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of coronavirus on EU aid to the most deprived

At a conference entitled "Affordable Housing - addressing the housing crisis in the European Union”, the Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU launches the debate on the causes of this crisis, how the EU can help EU countries tackle it and what measures could be taken at European level. The event, hosted jointly by Parliament and the Commission gathers experts and representatives of EU institutions, and national and regional authorities.

Affordable Housing conference: Joint conference of the EU Parliament and the EU Commission on the EU Housing Crisis

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

MEPs discuss with the Commission ways to encourage public and private investment in decent and affordable housing in Europe. Ahead of her confirmation as Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement before Parliament on 18 July that Europe faces a housing crisis and announced she would appoint a Commissioner to be directly responsible for this issue. Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jørgensen is the Commissioner-designate for Housing and Energy.
As part of its Renovation Wave Strategy, the Commission launched an Affordable Housing Initiative in October 2023. Before that, in January 2021, Parliament called on the EU to recognise access to decent and affordable housing as an enforceable human right.

Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe

EP Plenary Session - Developing a new EU anti-poverty strategy

Poverty has many dimensions. Following recent crises, not least the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, some of poverty's known dimensions have evolved while new forms have emerged. Addressing poverty remains mainly the responsibility of EU countries' governments acting in complex national social settings. The EU meanwhile seeks to coordinate Member States' efforts and offers support in the form of funding and data. The new European Commission is stepping up efforts to meet the EU's poverty reduction targets.

EU action against poverty

Press conference on the report on the Anti-Poverty Strategy

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the European Affordable Housing Plan

EP Plenary session - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

EP Plenary session - Parliament’s statements - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

EP Plenary session -  Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe - encouraging investment, private property and public housing programmes

EP Plenary session - Taxing the super-rich to end poverty and reduce inequalities: EU support to the G20 Presidency’s proposal

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

João OLIVEIRA (The Left/PT), rapporteur and Marie TOUSSAINT (Greens/EFA, FR), Aodhán Ó RÍORDÁIN (S&D, IE) and Marit MAIJ (S&D, NL), members of the intergroup on Fighting Poverty, hold a press conference on the report on the Anti-Poverty Strategy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by João OLIVEIRA (The Left/PT), Rapporteur, Marie TOUSSAINT (Greens/EFA, FR), Aodhán Ó RÍORDÁIN (S&D, IE) and Marit MAIJ (S&D, NL), members of the intergroup on Fighting Poverty, on the report on the Anti-Poverty Strategy

Commissioner Jørgensen and MEPs discuss how to ensure access to affordable housing across the EU. The Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan is expected to include a dedicated construction strategy and streamlined administrative procedures to accelerate the renovation of existing households. MEPs focus on the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector, a possible revision of state aid rules to incentivise construction, and cooperation with the private sector. The importance of renovation and rehabilitation in both urban and rural areas is also likely to be raised during the debate. Closing statement by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing.

Presentation of the European Affordable Housing Plan: closing statement by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

Commissioner Jørgensen and MEPs discuss how to ensure access to affordable housing across the EU. The Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan is expected to include a dedicated construction strategy and streamlined administrative procedures to accelerate the renovation of existing households. MEPs focus on the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector, a possible revision of state aid rules to incentivise construction, and cooperation with the private sector. The importance of renovation and rehabilitation in both urban and rural areas is also likely to be raised during the debate. Second part of the MEPs debate.

Presentation of the European Affordable Housing Plan: MEPs debate (part 2)

Commissioner Jørgensen and MEPs discuss how to ensure access to affordable housing across the EU. The Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan is expected to include a dedicated construction strategy and streamlined administrative procedures to accelerate the renovation of existing households. MEPs focus on the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector, a possible revision of state aid rules to incentivise construction, and cooperation with the private sector. The importance of renovation and rehabilitation in both urban and rural areas is also likely to be raised during the debate. First part of MEPs debate.

Presentation of the European Affordable Housing Plan: MEPs debate (part 1)

Commissioner Jørgensen and MEPs discuss how to ensure access to affordable housing across the EU. The Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan is expected to include a dedicated construction strategy and streamlined administrative procedures to accelerate the renovation of existing households. MEPs focus on the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector, a possible revision of state aid rules to incentivise construction, and cooperation with the private sector. The importance of renovation and rehabilitation in both urban and rural areas is also likely to be raised during the debate. Opening statement by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the European Affordable Housing Plan: Opening statement by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

This is von der Leyen’s first address of the 10th legislative term. The theme of the address are developing responses to the current geopolitical challenges, drawing on the priorities set out in the President's political guidelines for the 2024-2029 European Commission, and the measures detailed in the Commission's 2025 work programme. In this part of her speech, President Ursula von der Leyen speaks about EU social crisis, the cost of living and housing and the future presentatation of the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan. She also highlights the car inustry and the need for Europe to produce more afordable, "green" cars. She finally highlight the production of food of high quality in Europe an the launch a new buy European food campaign. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

State of the European Union - #SOTEU2025: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission (part 6 - Social justice - Housing)

Irene TINAGLI (S&D, IT), Chair of HOUS Special Committee, holds a press conference on the public housing policies mission in Vienna (Austria). One of the aims of the European Parliament's mission is to identify what measures Vienna is taking to tackle the housing crisis, specifically focussing on its approach to social housing. In Vienna, over 60% of the residents live in subsidised apartments. The city's housing model combines public ownership, non-profit housing associations, and cooperative housing, making the city’s rent-to-income ratios significantly lower than in other European cities. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Irene TINAGLI (S&D, IT), Chair of HOUS Special Committee, on the public housing policies mission in Vienna (Austria)

Irene TINAGLI, (S&D, IT), Chair of the Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union (HOUS) and Ioannis TSAKIRIS, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), give a press conference on the Housing Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing. Parliament established the HOUS Committee with a 12-month mandate, to propose solutions for decent, sustainable, and affordable housing for all European citizens. It has been tasked with mapping housing needs, analysing existing housing policies across the EU and contributing to the future implementation of the European affordable housing plan. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Irene TINAGLI, (S&D, IT), HOUS Committee Chair, and Ioannis TSAKIRIS, Vice-President of the EIB, on the Housing Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing

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