Housing has moved decisively from the margins of EU social policy to the core of the European political agenda. That shift was on full display at Tuesday’s press conference following the informal videoconference of EU ministers responsible for housing, held under the Cypriot Presidency and featuring the European Commission’s newly appointed housing portfolio.
Representing the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou framed the housing crisis as a fundamental social issue with wide-ranging consequences for cohesion, opportunity and everyday life across the 27-member bloc. He stressed that housing insecurity now affects broad segments of society, extending well beyond traditionally vulnerable groups, and that its impacts spill into health outcomes, access to education, labour mobility and democratic participation.
If we don’t deal with it, if we don’t fundamentally address these problems and solve them, they risk undermining our democracy. – Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen
European contribution…
Mr Ioannou was explicit that while housing policy remains a national competence, the scale and cross-border nature of the crisis demand a stronger European contribution. He argued that existing EU policy areas—notably climate, energy efficiency and construction—already shape housing outcomes and can be better aligned to support affordability and supply.
The minister underscored both the social stakes and the need for coordination:
“Housing is a social right. Without adequate housing, people’s health, access to employment and education, and their ability to fully participate in society, are all seriously affected. Rising prices and rents, limited access to financing and insufficient supply are making housing increasingly unaffordable, impacting not only the most vulnerable, but also low- and middle-income households…”
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… European approach
He also anchored the Presidency’s position firmly within recent European Council conclusions, emphasising that political direction from leaders has already been given:
“The scale of today’s housing crisis calls for a stronger European approach that complements local solutions while fully respecting subsidiarity. The EU can add value by supporting and coordinating targeted actions and sharing good practises across Europe. This reality was fully recognised by our leaders in the conclusion of the European Council last October.”
For the Cypriot Presidency, the Commission’s European Affordable Housing Plan, presented in December, provides the basis for structured Council work in the months ahead. Mr Ioannou signalled that upcoming EPSCO discussions will be used to refine priorities, reconcile national specificities and move toward implementation.
Urgency, democracy and delivery
Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen adopted a more urgent and political tone, characterising the housing crisis as both a social emergency and a systemic risk. He described how housing shortages and affordability pressures are constraining young people’s life choices, undermining public services, and hollowing out cities of essential workers.
Crucially, Mr Jørgensen linked housing insecurity directly to democratic stability:
“Europe is in a housing crisis. This is extremely serious because millions of people are struggling to pay their bills. Millions are struggling to find a place called home. This is not only a problem for the individuals it affects, which it obviously is, it is also a problem for all of us.”
He went further, explicitly framing housing as a rights-based issue:
“Having a place to call home is a human right. And if we don’t deal with it, if we don’t fundamentally address these problems and solve them, they risk undermining our democracy. So, this is why the Commission has been determined to put forward an ambitious affordable housing plan.”
No one-size solutions
While rejecting the idea that solutions can be imposed from Brussels, the commissioner outlined how EU-level action can enable faster delivery on the ground. The plan focuses on mobilising investment, scaling up construction and renovation, repurposing empty buildings, cutting red tape, and empowering cities to act — particularly in areas facing pressure from short-term rentals.
The EU can add value by supporting and coordinating targeted actions and sharing good practises across Europe. – Konstantinos Ioannou, Interior Minister of Cyprus
A pan-European investment platform, developed with the European Investment Bank, is intended to connect public authorities, investors and the construction sector, turning policy commitments into concrete projects.
Timing and political pressure
One journalist present at the event asked afterwards about timelines and voter frustration. Asked whether the lack of rapid solutions risks fuelling extremist political movements, Commissioner Jørgensen dismissed any notion of delay and stressed the immediacy of the response.
His answer left little room for ambiguity:
“We are in the middle of a crisis, so when I’m asked about what is the time frame, I’ll say it’s now. We need to act now. We needed to act yesterday, actually, to be honest. So we have no time to waste.”
He acknowledged that housing is a newly consolidated priority within the Commission, noting that this is the first mandate with a dedicated housing portfolio. However, he argued that the speed with which ideas have been translated into a concrete plan demonstrates political seriousness, even as implementation will require sustained co-operation with member states and respect for subsidiarity.
Threshold
Today’s press conference confirmed that housing has crossed a political threshold in Brussels. It is now treated not merely as a social policy concern, but as a test of Europe’s capacity to deliver tangible improvements to citizens’ lives. With a Commission plan on the table and a Presidency committed to coordination, the next phase will determine whether this momentum translates into real relief on the ground — and whether the EU can meet rising public expectations on one of the most visible problems plaguing Europe.
