The EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the report on the housing crisis, prepared by rapporteur Borja Giménez Larraz MEP, which calls for faster construction and renovation of homes across Europe and recognises the crucial role of local and regional authorities in addressing the housing challenge.
The report rightly acknowledges that cities and regions are at the forefront of housing policy. Local and regional authorities are responsible for identifying housing needs and delivering tailored solutions through their competences in land use, spatial and urban planning, building regulations, and permitting procedures. Their proximity to citizens allows them to respond directly to local realities, whether in metropolitan areas, rural regions, islands or border territories.
The EPP-CoR strongly supports the report’s call for respecting subsidiarity and strengthening multilevel governance, ensuring that local and regional authorities are fully involved in the development of European housing initiatives, including the European Affordable Housing Plan. The report also highlights the importance of simplifying administrative procedures, improving permitting systems and promoting digital tools to accelerate housing construction and renovation.
Housing challenges vary significantly across Europe, and the EPP-CoR underlines that diverse territorial contexts require tailored solutions. From addressing depopulation in rural areas to managing housing pressures in rapidly growing cities, local and regional leaders are essential partners in designing effective policies and ensuring that investments reach the communities that need them most.
In this context, the EPP-CoR recalls the establishment of the EPP Network on Housing, launched at the European Committee of the Regions in December 2025. The Network brings together EPP local and regional leaders committed to sharing best practices, mapping local initiatives and strengthening the contribution of cities and regions to the European housing agenda. By connecting grassroots experience with EU policymaking, the Network helps ensure that European housing policies reflect the realities faced by municipalities and regions across the continent.
Local and regional authorities implementing housing policies or projects are invited to contribute to the Network and share their experience. Join the EPP Network on Housing by completing the survey: https://shorturl.at/0f0HY
Through stronger cooperation between the European, national, regional and local levels, the EPP-CoR remains committed to supporting practical solutions that increase housing supply, improve affordability and ensure sustainable and inclusive communities across Europe.