Tackling the housing crisis in Europe

The housing crisis in Europe has become structural and systemic: In 2023, 8,8% of EU households spent over 40% of their disposable income on housing, and nearly 900.000 people were homeless. Between 2015 and 2023, house prices rose by nearly 50% across the EU, and rents increased by 18%. 

With the fundamental right to housing under increasing threat across regions and social groups, the issue has become a key priority on the European agenda. For the first time, an EU Commissioner holds a dedicated portfolio for Energy and Housing with a mandate to deliver the first European Plan for Affordable Housing by the end of 2025. In parallel, the European Parliament has entrusted a Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union to examine the drivers of the housing crisis and propose concrete, actionable solutions at EU level.

To support the committee’s work and push for a progressive European response, FEPS has joined forces with the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, Eteron, and the Progress Institute to develop a handbook on housing crisis fundamentals in Europe. On 9 December 2025, between 14:00 and 15:30, the handbook and country-specific insights for Finland, Greece, and North Macedonia will be presented to committee members, policymakers, civil society representatives, and experts. 

In assessing the lack of social and affordable housing supply, energy poverty, and short-term rentals and speculation, the discussion will focus on how to rebalance market power and ensure housing affordability in the green transition. 

The event takes place under Chatham House rules. Participation is possible upon invitation only. 

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact François Balate, FEPS Policy Analyst (francois.balate@feps-europe.eu) and Vanessa Zwisele, FEPS Project Officer (vanessa.zwisele@feps-europe.eu).