European Parliament backs action on housing crisis

PN Head of Delegation David Casa has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s report on the housing crisis, describing it as an important step towards stronger European action to support affordable housing.

Casa served on the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, which drafted the report and proposed recommendations to address rising housing costs across the European Union.

Across Europe, housing prices and rents have increased significantly in recent years, placing growing pressure on families and particularly on young people seeking to access their first home.

The report adopted by Parliament calls for stronger European cooperation to improve access to decent, sustainable and affordable housing, including increased investment through EU instruments, enhanced support from the European Investment Bank, and measures to address pressures in housing markets.

The report will feed into the European Commission’s implementation of its Affordable Housing Plan, which aims to mobilise investment and provide additional tools to support Member States and local authorities in addressing housing challenges.

Commenting after the vote, Casa said:

“Access to affordable housing is becoming one of the defining social challenges of our time. Across Europe, and very much in Malta, rising housing prices and rents are putting enormous pressure on families and young people trying to secure their first home.”

Casa stressed that the European Union can play an important supporting role by helping mobilise investment, amending outdated unnecessarily bureaucratic EU legislation that impacts prices and sharing best practices on tackling over-financialisation of the housing market and protecting home ownership.

“Housing policy remains primarily a national responsibility, but Europe can help support practical solutions. Today’s vote sends a clear signal that ensuring access to affordable housing must be a priority.”

Casa added that the European Parliament’s recommendations will help guide the next phase of European action on housing.

“This report continues to place housing firmly on the European agenda. The next step is to translate these recommendations into concrete initiatives that help ensure everyone has the opportunity to access a decent and affordable home,” concluded Casa.