The European Parliament’s Green Party faction has urged the European Commission to implement measures addressing rising rents and property prices across the EU. A paper titled “Affordable, Sustainable and Fair Housing for All” reported by Der Spiegel, outlines proposals for legally binding frameworks aimed at achieving the UN-recognized target of housing costs not exceeding 30% of income, with a lower threshold of 20% for low-income households.
The Green representatives are also proposing the establishment of a dedicated fund to finance loans for building renovations, advocating for the exclusion of such state expenditures from EU debt rules. Furthermore, they suggest allowing municipalities to introduce vacancy taxes, intended to penalize property owners who fail to rent out available housing.
“Across Europe, more and more people are struggling to find affordable housing, therefore the EU must act” stated Green MEP Rasmus Andresen. The faction emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for coordinated action at the European level to ensure housing security for all citizens. The proposals aim to balance the needs of residents with the realities of the housing market, promoting both affordability and sustainability.
