Today, the Socialists and Democrats present their position paper on tackling Europe’s housing crisis, anchored in a simple yet vital principle: affordable and decent homes are a right for all, not a privilege for the few.

The paper comes at a crucial moment. The latest data once again confirm a sharp rise in house prices and rents across the EU. Between 2010 and the second quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU increased by 60.5 % and rents by 28.8%. 

The Socialists and Democrats have brought housing to the forefront of the EU agenda. Through sustained and active campaigning, the group secured both the first-ever European Commissioner for housing and the European Parliament’s special committee on the housing crisis in the EU. 

Today’s position paper marks another milestone in the progressives’ efforts to make housing a top EU priority, focusing on ten main objectives:

• Recognising housing as a fundamental human right
• Securing €300 billion of EU funding for affordable and decent homes
• Regulating short-term rentals so our cities remain for living, not just visiting
• Reforming state aid rules to facilitate housing access for low- and middle-income earners
• Tackling housing speculation, including regulation of overseas real estate purchases
• Strengthening tenants’ rights: banning family evictions and ensuring fair, secure rental contracts
• Ensuring sustainable homes for all, including an EU Renovation Loan with clear social criteria
• Eradicating homelessness and supporting vulnerable groups
• Rethinking the Stability and Growth Pact to allow member states to invest in housing
• Addressing harmful tax rules that worsen affordability.

Gaby Bischoff, S&D vice-president for social Europe, said:

“A home is much more than a roof over our heads. It is where we share our lives with family and friends, make memories, care for loved ones, relax after a long day, and feel safe. That is why it is unacceptable that for so many Europeans - especially those renting or buying for the first time - finding a decent home has become harder than ever.

“With this newly adopted position paper on housing, the Socialists and Democrats once again take the lead and show the way forward - shifting the focus from the right to own to the right to a home, highlighting issues often neglected, and dispelling the myth that the EU has no competence in tackling the housing crisis.

“Housing is about human dignity. It is about confidence in the future, about progress. It is a social and economic issue - but ultimately, it is about our democracy. The EU cannot afford to fail its citizens.”

Andreas Schieder, S&D spokesperson on housing, added:

“Roughly 1.2 million Europeans remain homeless, and over half of urban residents cite a lack of affordable housing as their most urgent challenge. Low-income households are spending nearly 40% of their income on housing. That is why we are proposing decisive action to secure affordable and decent homes for all - guided by the principle that a home is a human right, not a privilege for the few.

“As outlined in our paper, the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan must focus on securing massive investment and on the regulation of short-term rentals so that our cities remain places to live, not just tourist destinations. Speculation must end to ensure that houses and flats serve first as homes, not financial assets. Tenants’ rights must be strengthened, vulnerable groups must be protected, and homelessness must be eradicated.

“There are success stories proving that it is possible to get this right. Vienna is one such example. This paper draws inspiration from good practices and paves the way towards a better housing reality across Europe.” 

Notes to editors:

Read more on the latest Eurostat housing price statistics from 3 October 2025.(opens in a new tab)

Read more on the S&D Group’s priorities for affordable and decent housing for all.