For the EPP-CoR Group housing is dignity, stability, cohesion and opportunity. Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR, today chaired an EPP Local Dialogue stressing that a home should allow people to study, work, care for their families and build a future with confidence. Yet, for too many Europeans, housing has become a source of anxiety. Rising prices, complex regulation and soaring construction costs weaken cohesion and Europe’s competitiveness. She announced the creation of the first EPP Network on Housing, a platform where mayors, councillors and regional leaders can exchange best practices and shape the next EU housing agenda together.
Xavier García Albiol, Mayor of Badalona, highlighted the surreal situation in Spain, where expelling illegal occupiers can take up to two years. He condemned the lack of effective legislation and spoke on calls for reforms. He also noted that, after twenty years without new developments, Badalona has now launched seven housing projects producing 400 new dwellings — both for sale and rent — distinguishing clearly between affordable housing for middle-income families and social housing for lower-income residents.
Maravillas Abadía Jover, EPP MEP and member of the Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS), argued that the crisis must be addressed through two central objectives: increasing supply and supporting vulnerable households. She outlined the five pillars of the Parliament’s report: empowering local and regional authorities, boosting supply, ensuring financing, supporting demand and strengthening data-driven policymaking. She emphasised the importance of subsidiarity and the EU’s catalytic role in sharing best practices, particularly for rural, depopulated, island and cross-border areas.
Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo, spoke about her city’s long tradition of leadership in energy-efficient housing and sustainable development. Gabrovo has renovated multi-family buildings for more than a decade and pioneered Bulgaria’s first passive-house kindergarten, now widely used as a model elsewhere. Through the Energy Association of Bulgarian Municipalities, she continues to advance innovation in local housing policy.
Gregor Macedoni, Mayor of Novo Mesto, emphasised that housing policy is central to the city’s development strategy. As a regional hub in Slovenia’s export economy, Novo Mesto needs to attract skilled workers, which requires accessible and good-quality housing. The city balances private investment, public rental housing, and financial support for young people. A recent EU-funded renovation in the city centre now provides homes for young families and contributes to urban revitalisation.
Oliver Rapf, Executive Director of BPIE and member of the European Commission’s Housing Advisory Board, underlined that sustainable, affordable and resilient homes must be at the core of the European Affordable Housing Plan. He called for prioritising renovation of existing buildings, stimulating innovation in construction, enabling public–private partnerships and enhancing coordination across all levels of governance. Local authorities, he noted, are crucial for providing high-quality data and engaging residents.
The debate also showcased local housing projects and solutions from councillors and deputy mayors across Europe.
Cesare Spinelli, City Councillor of Scarlino (Italy), focused on revitalising historic town centres by restoring old buildings and attracting residents back — a key strategy against depopulation.
Ioana Dănilă, City Councillor of Iași (Romania), proposed helping young people buy and renovate homes in rural communities. With improved infrastructure and stronger digital connectivity, rural areas can once again attract remote workers and young families.
Lorenzo Vigo, City Councillor of Cassano Valcuvia (Italy), stressed the importance of renovating existing buildings rather than expanding onto new land, improving energy efficiency and regenerating villages to maintain vibrant communities.
Dan Carson, City Councillor of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown (Ireland), presented work on delivering long-term affordable rental homes using public land and mixed-tenure developments that combine rental and ownership options.
Eemi Vaherlehto, City Councillor of Tuusula (Finland), highlighted the need to explore new housing concepts through cooperation with developers and to integrate safety systematically into planning and construction.
Andreas Andreou, Deputy Mayor of Galatsi (Greece), described the creation of a municipal housing task force to coordinate support schemes and the acquisition of public spaces before land prices rise. He called for more flexible EU rules to help revitalise rural regions.
Hendrik Jensen, City Councillor of Hamburg (Germany), presented the “Education Centre Plus” model, which integrates affordable housing for trainees and students directly into school facilities, making better use of public buildings outside school hours.
Cristian Antuñano, City Councillor of Castro-Urdiales (Cantabria, Spain), explained how his city supports young renters through direct local assistance and a digital platform connecting landlords who offer affordable rents with those seeking housing.
Francienne Muscat, Local Councillor of Xagħra, Gozo (Malta), discussed measures that help young people access home ownership, including co-investment schemes, rent-to-buy pathways and updated supports that reflect current market conditions.
Eoin O’Driscoll, County Councillor in Dublin (Ireland), highlighted Ireland’s highly successful one-stop-shop system for home retrofitting, which guides citizens through every step of the renovation process and significantly increases uptake.
Bridget Anne, City Councillor of Rønneri (Sweden), described digital tools that allow tenants to submit feedback and maintenance requests easily, alongside virtual community forums that strengthen trust and improve municipal housing services.
Andra Balan, City Councillor in Târgu Bujor (Romania), outlined “Local Housing Deals” whereby public land is used to deliver affordable, energy-efficient homes in partnership with developers, with a share of units reserved for young families and essential workers.
Georgiana Sima, County Councillor of Cluj-Napoca (Romania), discussed youth housing measures, new social housing projects and the development of Sopor — Romania’s first new neighbourhood planned from scratch in decades, designed around accessibility, services and green space.
Marek Hudák, Local Councillor of Bardejov (Slovakia), highlighted the severe shortage of new housing in peripheral regions. He presented the DOMO project, which supports Roma families in building their own legal homes, strengthening dignity, stability and long-term inclusion.
Łukasz Borkowski, Local Councillor in Katowice, highlighted the city’s innovative “Apartment for Renovation” programme as a concrete example of how municipalities can expand access to affordable housing while revitalising ageing stock: “ ‘Apartment for Renovation’ is one of Katowice’s most effective tools for expanding access to affordable housing and revitalising our municipal stock: residents renovate vacant city-owned apartments at their own cost, and in return receive a long-term municipal lease at rents up to ten times lower than the private market, turning neglected buildings into secure, dignified homes.”