Housing shortage • Table.Briefings

Arm oder reich von Geburt an. Klapperstorch zeigt die Geburt eines Kindes an, Bonn.

May 7th, 2026

Anti-poverty strategy: Child poverty remains stubbornly high in the EU

More than 19 million children in the EU live in poverty, putting the bloc at risk of missing its poverty reduction targets.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

On 4 September 2025, Ekaterina Zaharieva, , went to Germany, where she visited the real-world laboratory of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) in Zeitz, and she also gave a speech at the Bauhaus Building in Dessau for the centenary celebrations.

News

December 17th, 2025

Strategy for affordable housing: More EU funding and less bureaucracy should help

The EU plans to combat the housing shortage with more funding and a reduction in bureaucracy. Digitalized approval procedures and a Europe-wide materials platform should enable faster and cheaper housing construction.

By Marion Bergermann

A sign on a wall in Barcelona highlighting the problems of tourism and gentrification.

Feature | Housing shortage

November 11th, 2025

Law on short-term rentals: The state of legal certainty

In her State of the Union address, Ursula von der Leyen surprised Parliament by announcing a law to curb short-term rentals (STRs). The key factor will be whether the initiative can create legal clarity.

By Alina Leimbach

Desperate housing request hangs on a broken public phone.

Feature | Housing shortage

October 9th, 2025

Plan for affordable housing: Time pressure for a big hit?

For the first time, the EU is tackling the issue of affordable housing with its own strategy. However, the timetable is tight – and has even been brought forward once again by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It remains to be seen how much the plan can achieve.

By Alina Leimbach

Eine Baggerschaufel dringt in den Boden ein.

News | Residential construction

October 6th, 2025

Housing shortage: Commission wants to allow aid for affordable housing

In addition to social housing, state aid for affordable housing will soon also be permitted. The Commission has released a draft decision to amend the state aid rules for public consultation.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Opinion | Building sector

September 9th, 2025

Housing is the cornerstone of a climate-social society

Between cold bridges and rent explosion – an expert from the think tank Zukunft Klimasozial explains why housing has long since become a key issue of climate action and social justice.

By Astrid Schaffert