Europe’s housing crisis is worsening, threatening affordability, access and quality of urban life. From Amsterdam to Athens and Lisbon to Berlin, housing costs are rising faster than incomes, pricing out young adults, low-income households and essential workers. In cities, around one in ten residents spends over 40% of income on housing, rising to nearly one in four among 18 to 29-year-olds. In historic, touristic cities, more homes are shifting to short-term rentals, reducing long-term supply and pushing prices up.
Eurocities’ report Cities addressing the housing crisis: Innovative and integrated approaches shows responses. Based on 20 cities, it highlights governance, finance, land-use and regeneration tools to expand social and affordable housing.