Action needed to deliver 10 million homes

The EPP Group called for ambitious action to tackle Europe's housing crisis during its Housing Summit, which brought together policymakers and key stakeholders this week. With 10 million homes needed across the EU, the solution is clear: increase supply immediately by unlocking private investment, speeding up permitting procedures and simplifying regulation.

Discussions brought together political leaders, policymakers and industry representatives, including North Rhine-Westphalia Minister Ina Scharrenbach and Irish housing committee chair Micheál Carrigy. The debate also explored how public and private investment can help unlock housing supply, with contributions from the European Investment Bank’s Ioannis Tsakiris, Spain’s public credit institute ICO and representatives from the construction sector. The importance of tourism for many European economies and the use of short-term rentals featured in the discussions with representatives from the sector, including Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk, who was challenged on the company’s role in this debate. 

For the EPP Group’s spokesperson on the Housing Crisis, Nikolina Brnjac MEP, housing affordability and tourism development should not be seen as competing priorities: "Europe needs more homes, while ensuring that tourism continues to contribute to the economy. This does not require a one-size-fits-all solution. The EPP Group advocates for policies that reflect the different realities in Europe. We should not apply the same solutions to rural or island destinations which largely depend on tourism and big coastal cities with diversified industries. Better data, closer cooperation and more input from local governments can contribute to a fair balance."

The EU should be more ambitious in its approach, according to the EPP Group spokesperson on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, Pablo Arias: "After repeatedly calling for a reduction of the administrative burdens holding back construction, the EPP Group welcomes the European Commission's plan for a Housing Simplification Package in 2027. This is an important step, though long overdue. However, the Affordable Housing Act, as proposed by the Commission, has been an unpleasant surprise. We look forward to working on the proposal in the Parliament’s Internal Market Committee in order to improve it for the benefit of citizens.”