Brussels, Belgium. Cyprus Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said housing is a “social right” and highlighted the European Affordable Housing Plan as a key step toward a comprehensive European framework. He spoke during an informal videoconference of EU housing ministers.
European Affordable Housing Plan
Ioannou said the European Affordable Housing Plan, presented by the European Commission last December, includes measures to increase supply, reduce bureaucracy, encourage investment and reforms, and support regions and people most affected. He said there was a need for “a strong European approach”.
Affordability pressures and affected groups
Ioannou said rising prices and rents, limited access to financing and insufficient supply are making housing increasingly unaffordable. He said the impact extends beyond the most vulnerable to include middle- and low-income households, young people and families, single parents, people with disabilities, and those at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
Commission view and next steps
Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen described the housing crisis as a threat to democracy and said immediate action is needed. He presented key elements of the Commission’s action plan and said the solution will not come from Brussels alone, but also at national and local levels, adding that cities are being given an opportunity to address the problem. The European Affordable Housing Plan is set to dominate the agenda of the employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs council (Epsco) on March 9.
How do rising rents and limited access to financing affect housing options where you live?