Joint cross-sector recommendations on the first European Affordable Housing Plan

We fully support the initiative to propose the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) and appoint a commissioner whose responsibilities include housing. The proposal offers a unique opportunity to incentivise the EU economy whilst addressing both the climate and social crises that the EU is currently facing.

To be effective, the design and actions developed under the European Affordable Housing Plan need to be coherent and consistent with the existing legislative acquis regarding energy, climate, and sustainable construction. This will require engagement across multiple Commissioner portfolios, with Member States’ authorities, and with the housing and construction (products) sector.

The European Affordable Housing Plan must strike the right balance between fostering the construction of new affordable, energy efficient, sustainable housing and incentivising the muchneeded renovation of existing ones. The latter is key to lower energy bills, which are often associated with the overall cost of housing. Renovating the approximately 210 million existing buildings in the EU is essential from a socio-economic, climate and EU-competitiveness perspective and must not be missed out.