Millions of Europeans are being priced out of their own homes as skyrocketing rents and unaffordable mortgages leave families struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
Now, the European Parliament is stepping in, with a high-stakes conference today set to tackle the deepening housing crisis that has gripped the continent.
On Monday, top EU officials will gather in Brussels in a bid to hammer out solutions to what has become one of the biggest socio-economic challenges of our time. The crisis has reached boiling point, with spiralling property prices, stagnant wages, and a dire shortage of affordable homes forcing workers and families into financial despair.
The conference, hosted in the European Parliament, will be opened by Irene Tinagli, Chair of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, alongside European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen. They will set the stage for what is expected to be a fierce debate over Europe’s future housing policies, with MEPs, national and regional leaders, and industry stakeholders all weighing in on the issue.
The urgency of the crisis cannot be overstated. Across Europe, essential workers such as nurses, teachers, and emergency responders are struggling to afford rent in the very cities they serve. Home ownership has become a distant dream for younger generations, many of whom are locked in an endless cycle of renting with no hope of saving for a deposit. Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shifting post-pandemic housing demands have only worsened the situation, leaving millions in limbo.
In response, the European Parliament has established the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, granting it a 12-month mandate to identify solutions and map out a path towards sustainable, affordable housing. The committee is tasked with analysing current policies across member states and shaping the European Affordable Housing Plan, an initiative designed to address the root causes of the crisis.
Monday’s conference marks a significant milestone in this effort. Throughout the day, officials will discuss best practices and examine how different EU nations are handling the crisis. Representatives from regional and national governments will outline policies that have worked—and those that have failed—while housing experts will highlight the biggest roadblocks to reform.
Crucially, the event will also explore the role of EU funding in tackling the crisis. With calls growing for Brussels to pump more money into social housing and sustainable urban development, the conference will scrutinise whether the European Affordable Housing Plan can deliver real results or whether it’s just another bureaucratic talking shop.
For millions of struggling Europeans, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Politicians in Brussels may debate policies and strategies, but what people need are real, tangible solutions that will make housing more affordable and accessible. With housing remaining largely a national issue, the question remains: will EU leaders finally take decisive action, or will this crisis continue to spiral out of control?
All eyes are now on Brussels. The future of housing in Europe depends on what happens next.
Photographer: Alexis HAULOT © European Union 2025 – Source: EP Usage terms: Identification of origin mandatory
