Housing Europe

Housing is at a tipping point, and voices are becoming louder and louder. Knowledge, tried policies, values, and innovation must cut through the noise and reach policymakers, especially when it comes to an essential right–housing. This is what we have been working on at Housing Europe for almost a year. On our brand new website, we are showing the human face of the public, cooperative, and social housing sector, but also the wealth of knowledge that we receive from 43,000 committed organisations in 31 European countries. Insights about the sector, policy opinion based on facts and growndwork, some of the most quoted reports on housing, best practices, innovation, articles, events, podcasts, a monthly newsletter read by 1,500 subscribers - all in one spot. Who helped us to make this happen? karma.agency and Juliette Moyart turned that long list of wishes into reality. Christophe Drèze, General Manager of Karma: “Housing Europe is a prime example of the type of projects karma.agency specialises in – collaborating with organisations within the European sphere who have a positive impact on people and the planet. Organisations like this deserve a louder voice and a brighter spotlight – which is exactly what the new housingeurope.eu delivers." Same web address, but the sector shines brighter. Take a look. https://lnkd.in/gkE72Nf

Congratulations to Irene Tinagli, elected chair of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU! There is a growing realisation that leaving everything to the market will not magically deliver affordable housing. We need to dig deeper. Yes, we do. Housing Europe members have spent decades (some even a century) proving that decent, affordable homes do not just happen—they are built through smart policies and investment. Over the next 12 months, MEPs will take on a deeply complex crisis that affects millions—soaring rents, social housing shortages, speculation, unaffordable homeownership, homelessness, and chronic underfunding. Housing is also tied to broader challenges: inflation, wage stagnation, demographic shifts, and climate goals. We are ready to bring the right expertise to the table.

Inspiring projects on #housing wanted! ⏱️The deadline for the Responsible Housing Awards has been extended until the 15th of February to give everyone a chance to apply🏆 The purpose of the Awards is to highlight the best in public, cooperative, and social housing, showcasing how sustainable, affordable, and community-driven homes can shape the future of our communities.🏘️ What makes them unique? The Jury is predominantly made up of tenants' union representatives, ensuring that the voices of residents are at the heart of the decisions! Does your initiative fit one of the following categories: 🔵Management excellence for housing affordability 🟡"More than a roof" – supporting communities of equal opportunities 🟢Agents of green transition, leaders of innovation 🟠Building strategic alliances, fostering community participation 🟣Empowering the team, fairness, and diversity at work 🔴Going the extra mile for safe and sound living It’s more than just recognition—it’s a platform for networking and pushing for more action in the not-for-profit housing sector across Europe. Read more about the Awards and apply➡️https://lnkd.in/ddKD8AkF #ResponsibleHousing2025 International Union of Tenants (IUT), DELPHIS, CEB - Council of Europe Development Bank

Housing Europe, alongside leading organisations that want the EU to be truly Fit for 55, are asking Members of the European Parliament about their New Year Renovation plans. 720 MEPs can now renovate their very own DIY paper house from the comfort of their desks and find out how much they can save in energy consumption and bills by collecting renovation “tools” to transition to an energy efficient home by the end of the year. A year ago, Housing Europe called for key actions to back the movement for a fair energy transition ⬇️ ➡️ Beyond renovation, EU green policies should include low-carbon housing supply targets to meet growing demand. ➡️ Simplify access to the 19 EU funding and financing streams currently available, attaching clear conditionally on social criteria. ➡️ Encourage district decarbonisation which addresses local needs for housing that is affordable, age-adapted, well-connected, and uses local resources. ➡️ Broaden the approach to renovation and circularity to foster local supply chains, quality job creation, social enterprise, and biodiversity. ➡️ Harness the potential of digital and tech advances for a fair energy transition.

How can we ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has a home resilient to the changing climate? What are the most effective ways to tackle homelessness? How can states best finance social and affordable housing? And how do we provide housing for young people, the elderly, or those with disabilities so they can fully realise their potential? The "HOW' list is long. ISHF - International Social Housing Festival always brings a wealth of knowledge and new ideas to the forefront. It is a unique chance to connect with others working on housing challenges and understand how real solutions have come to life. This is the last week to submit your ideas for events. All sorts of events. ☝ Send them through by January 31, 2025. https://lnkd.in/eqrzTYV6

How can governments make smarter use of public support for housing? 🧠 One of the solutions might already be here: cost-rental housing. In a piece for the Irish Independent, Sorcha Edwards, Secretary-General of Housing Europe, who also was a member of Ireland’s Housing Commission tasked with advising the government, explained how cost-rental hosuing could help ease housing crises and save public money. Right now, government schemes like housing assisting payments pour money into the private rental market, covering rising rents that outstrip affordability. But with a stronger cost-rental sector, the State would pay only the true cost of providing housing—not inflated market rates. And it works: 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇳🇱 the Netherlands, and 🇦🇹 Austria have shown how cost-rental can create affordable, stable homes while making the best of public spending. 🔍 Our Research Observatory has written a report about the nitty-gritty of the model - https://lnkd.in/gZdXZXve As Professor Michelle Norris, a fellow Housing Commission member and a co-writer of our #Housing2030 report, highlighted: “Sometimes in the national debate on housing there is a huge focus on the current minister, the current government and current policy statements, but problems have built up in our system of housing delivery, planning and the finance of housing over decades. Addressing them requires long-term commitments.” It is time to shift the conversation beyond today’s policies and focus on building a system for tomorrow. https://lnkd.in/eptBhHnM

Today, on #BlueMonday—often referred to as the gloomiest day of the year—it’s worth looking not only to the United States but also at real progress in the fight to combat housing precarity here, in Europe. From a massive public housing programme to curbing speculative house purchases, tackling the rapid rise of tourist apartments, and supporting young people, Spain's Prime Minister Sánchez’s recent plan aims to make decent, affordable housing what it should always be: a fundamental right, not a financial instrument. Will European governments follow Spain’s example, recognising that addressing housing as a social right is also a pathway to competitiveness, better well-being, skills improvement, and job integration? https://lnkd.in/eX8VFEmd

While submissions for events at the 5th ISHF - International Social Housing Festival—co-organised by the Irish Council for Social Housing, Co-operative Housing Ireland, and Housing Europe—are in full swing, we are excited to connect with the community online this January. Join us on January 14, 2025, at 11:00 (Irish Time) / 12:00 (CET) for a short info session where we will address your questions about the submission process and provide an overview of what to expect during the Festival. Get your conferences, workshops, exhibitions, study visits or performances ready by registering via this link -https://lnkd.in/eVDukVMq

Is finding a job with a social impact in Brussels one of your 2025 resolutions? We have got you covered, just keep on reading. Housing Europe is looking for an experienced Communications Director to lead our Brussels-based communications work for several months. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive the communications strategy of one of EU’s most respected NGOs, focusing on high-impact advocacy, policy outreach, and the organisation of major events. You will play a pivotal role in shaping public narratives on social, cooperative, and public housing across Europe, leading initiatives that amplify our mission and influence key players. Contract duration: approx. February – September 2025 Interviews: January 2025 Even if no day is the same, you will... 📣 Ensure that all our public communication – editorial work, social media channels or website, press work, newsletters, event curation - reflects Housing Europe’s advocacy work. 🚀 Become the main contact at Housing Europe that coordinates and leads the work of the ISHF - International Social Housing Festival (4-6 June 2025, Dublin) during which you will organise our annual conference, streamline all our other events at the Festival, ensure strong promotion and before, during, after coverage of the Festival. ✍ Prepare our monthly newsletter for an audience of +1.4K subscribers every last working day of the month. 🇪🇺 Lead the communication work for 3 EU-funded projects focusing on energy poverty, district renovation, and housing research. Support dissemination for multiple other European projects while making sure that the messaging is a continuous reality check for the sector. The day-to-day project work includes preparing reports, creating content, and event organisation while making sure that the messaging is a continuous reality check for the core work of our sector. 🚆 Occasional travel will be necessary. How to apply? Please submit your CV (max. 2 pages). In addition, please choose a format that suits you best to address how we can fight stigma in social housing: a single social media post concept, a brief blog post (300 words max), or a visual that best highlights your skills. ChatGPT could be a great assistant but we really want to see your style and unique perspective. Send your work in a single PDF, along with your CV and cover letter by January 12, 2025. Good luck! https://lnkd.in/eb_VuGfH

In 2024, housing took centre stage in the European Union agenda. Many of the demands of the public, cooperative, and social housing sector prior the European elections are now shaping policy. Many unprecedented steps forward. ✅ For the first time, we have a European Commissioner with "Housing" in the title. ✅A dedicated Task Force within the European Commission will soon bring coherence to the EU’s fragmented housing strategies. ✅ In the European Parliament, a special Committee focused solely on housing was approved last evening. But they come with an essential caveat. Success at the EU level depends on reflecting the tough housing realities across Europe and dialogue will be the key to translating ambition into action. This renewed focus on housing didn’t appear overnight. The deepening crisis has forced political leaders to confront the harsh realities. 🚩1 in 5 jobs in small and medium-sized enterprises in France remain unfilled due to a lack of affordable housing. 🚩Homelessness is rising, and housing exclusion continues to grow. 🚩The social and economic toll of failed policies is no longer tenable. We’ve heard bold announcements. A new EU Affordable Housing Plan, a pan-European housing investment platform, and a proposed doubling of cohesion funds will unfold against a backdrop of concerning national budget cuts, unfit fiscal rules and state aid regulations that need an improvement. We must remain vigilant to ensure these initiatives bring solutions, not setbacks. The EU has also promised a construction innovation strategy. Yet, across Europe, underuse of social and environment clauses in procurement rules still drive a lowest-price mentality, undermining quality and working conditions. Innovation must serve people first, address the housing crisis, while undoubtedly, benefitting the economy and fair businesses. Housing Europe, together with our members, is ready to lead these critical conversations. We believe EU funding must continue to prioritise high-impact, socially beneficial projects, recognising public, cooperative, and social housing providers as Europe’s most reliable long-term investors. 🔔 The housing crisis was not caused by a lack of finance but by poorly defined rules that failed to put people and the planet first. Construction prices have soared by 20% in just four years, far outpacing the previous decade's rise. A robust EU strategy is essential to combat unsustainable price increases and deliver affordable homes. The stakes could not be higher. In November, at our Leaders’ Summit, Housing Europe’s members united to send a powerful message to policymakers. Inclusive housing systems are not just desirable—they are essential for Europe’s future. Competitiveness is meaningless without access to healthy, affordable homes. We can’t stop at numbers; we need to create vibrant, thriving communities that respect planetary boundaries. And we are here to foster the dialogue needed to make that happen.