Sittings · Document
OPINION (2024/2120(INI)) 2025-05-14
On the role of cohesion policy investment in resolving the current housing crisis
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: Estrella Galán
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs submits the following to the Committee on Regional Development, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/20131a, ______________ 1a OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1057/oj. |
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which entered into force for the EU on 22 January 2011 in accordance with Council Decision 2010/48/EC of 26 November 2009 concerning the conclusion, by the European Community, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities1a, _______________ 1a OJ L 23, 27/01/2010, p. 35, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2010/48(1)/oj. |
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to its resolution of 24 November 2020 on tackling homelessness rates in the EU1a, ______________ 1a OJ C 425, 20.10.2021, p. 2. |
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Lisbon Declaration on the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, signed on 20 June 2021, |
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the ninth overview of housing exclusion in Europe 2024 by FEANTSA and Fondation pour le logement, |
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Citation 28 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Green Paper on Ageing – Fostering solidarity and responsibility between generations, published by the Commission on 27 January 2021 (COM(2021)0050), |
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) proclaimed and signed by the Council, Parliament and the Commission on 17 November 2017, and to the Commission communication of 4 March 2021 entitled ‘The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan’ (COM(2021)0102) and its proposed 2030 headline targets on employment, training and reducing poverty, |
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Citation 30 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Commission communication of 7 October 2020 entitled ‘A Union of Equality: EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation’ (COM(2020)0620), |
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Citation 37 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the mission letter of 17 September 2024 to Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, |
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| A. whereas between 2015 and 2023, house prices in the EU rose on average by 48 %, mainly due to higher building costs and mortgage rates, a decrease in construction, which limited supply, and the rise in the purchase of properties as an investment to generate additional income; | A. whereas between 2015 and 2023, house prices in the EU rose sharply, on average by 48 %, due to reasons that may vary across Member States, such as market liberalisation, real-estate speculation, unregulated short-term rentals, the drop in purchasing power of people, the lack of compliance with social and public housing targets, higher building costs and mortgage rates, a decrease in construction, which limited supply, and the rise in the purchase of properties as an investment to generate additional income; |
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ba. whereas housing is primarily a competence of the Member States, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, but is affected by the EU legislative and regulatory framework; whereas access to adequate housing is a universal human right and must be seen as a precondition for the exercise of, and access to, other fundamental rights and for living with human dignity; whereas the EU and its Member States should ensure access for all to affordable, decent and sustainable housing; |
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Bb. whereas according to Eurofound, among people spending at least 40 % of their income on housing, 60 % reported having difficulties making ends meet, and, among people spending less than 20 % of their income on housing, 42 % still had difficulties making ends meet; whereas private rental market tenants are in a particularly precarious situation, with 46 % feeling at risk of needing to leave their accommodation in the next three months because they can no longer afford it; whereas the increasing cost of living has exacerbated the crisis of affordable, decent and sustainable housing1a; whereas fluctuating housing prices are one of the main contributors to the net wealth disparity; whereas the scarcity of affordable housing is becoming the biggest driver of inequality in many Member States; whereas as a result, a growing number of people in the EU struggle to access affordable housing, are overburdened by housing and maintenance costs, live in housing with safety concerns – unhealthy, poor quality, inaccessible, energy inefficient or overcrowded – or are homeless or at risk of eviction; whereas the surge in housing costs has severely impacted young and elderly people, low and middle-income workers, single-parent households and persons with disabilities in particular; | |
| __________________ | |
| 1a Eurofound study, ‘Unaffordable and inadequate housing in Europe’, https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/publications/2023/unaffordable-and-inadequate-housing-europe. |
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Bc. whereas the right to housing is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; whereas principle 19 of the EPSR covers ‘Housing and assistance for the homeless’, specifically stating that access to social housing or housing assistance of good quality shall be provided for those in need, that people in vulnerable situations have the right to appropriate assistance and protection against forced eviction, and that adequate shelter and services shall be provided to the homeless in order to promote their social inclusion; whereas vulnerable and marginalised groups face disproportionately greater obstacles to living in adequate housing conditions; |
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ca. whereas the notion of affordable housing does not have an agreed-upon definition; whereas the housing crisis affects both urban and rural areas; whereas the crisis is severely affecting urban areas, where it has become difficult to find affordable housing at market prices, including for middle-income households; whereas in rural areas, issues are more likely related to inadequate quality of housing, including poor energy efficiency, and insufficient access to digital and public transport infrastructure, economic opportunities and essential services; whereas the crisis is exacerbated by spatial economic polarisation; whereas the lack of affordable housing is also increasingly becoming a barrier to labour mobility within the EU, with workers, especially young professionals, essential workers and low-income earners, struggling to find adequate, decent and affordable accommodation in proximity to their workplaces, exacerbating social and economic inequalities between regions and Member States; whereas despite economic growth in several regions, wages have not always kept pace with rising housing costs, leading to a growing number of ‘working poor’ who are unable to afford adequate housing; |
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Cb. whereas housing needs vary among people in vulnerable situations, such as children, women, unemployed people and those in precarious jobs, migrants, refugees, victims of human trafficking, persons with disabilities, young and elderly people, homeless people, and Roma people; whereas 47 % of young Europeans aged between 18 and 34 years face serious difficulties in becoming independent and continue to live with their parents, and only 17 % of students and young people have access to student accommodation; whereas inadequate housing prevents persons with disabilities from living independently; whereas there are still at least 1.4 million people residing in institutions in the EU, understood as residential care facilities; whereas despite the long-standing EU commitment to deinstitutionalisation, efforts are still needed to enable vulnerable groups to live independently in a community or family environment, which requires affordable and sustainable housing as an alternative to institutions; |
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Cc. whereas the European homeless population was estimated at 1 287 000 people in 2024, of which nearly 400 000 were minors; whereas homelessness rates have increased over the past decade in many Member States; whereas inadequate housing conditions and homelessness negatively affect not only people’s physical and mental health, well-being and quality of life, but also their access to employment and other economic and social services; whereas the EU now has its first-ever Commissioner tasked with tackling the housing crisis, and the first-ever European affordable and sustainable housing plan is expected in 2025; whereas homeless children should be a key focus of the Commission’s plan; whereas such proposals, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, need to go hand in hand with national measures in order to improve access to sustainable and affordable housing and the quality of everyday life, such as measures aimed at managing short-stay rentals or other market interventions in highly stressed areas; |
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| E. whereas EU cohesion policy (CP) funds and the EIB financing instruments are very important sources of EU investments to increase the supply of affordable housing in the EU; | E. whereas EU cohesion policy (CP) funds and the EIB financing instruments are very important sources of EU investments to increase the supply of affordable, decent and sustainable housing in the EU; whereas CP and the ESF+ support, complement and add value to Member States’ policies in order to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, fair and high-quality working conditions, and social protection and inclusion; whereas EU funds have been used for housing projects and addressing the needs of deprived communities; whereas these funds should be deployed strategically and through efficient and transparent procedures, contributing to the real economy and territorial cohesion; whereas in some Member States, public funds should be complemented by attracting private investment, as the public sector alone cannot shoulder the lack of liquidity on the current market; whereas refocusing CP funds towards housing, along with education, transport and digital connectivity, can increase the attractiveness of cities and regions; whereas Europe’s changing demographics require that cohesion policies address the need for adapted housing for an ageing population and persons with disabilities, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity; |
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Fa. whereas the construction sector is a driving force of economic activity, can create quality jobs and plays a crucial role in constructing and renovating more sustainable housing; whereas the sector is facing shortages, particularly in the construction workforce; whereas in her mission letter to Commissioner Jørgensen, the President of the Commission called for a focus on increasing both private and public investment in affordable and sustainable housing, and for measures to increase the skills of the labour force; |
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1. Acknowledges that the EU is undergoing a severe housing crisis, which is not just a social issue, as it has far-reaching economic consequences; notes furthermore that, despite the fact that urban areas are particularly affected, the housing crisis is not limited to cities and affects all regions, especially those with permanent geographical handicaps, such as islands, outermost regions and most coastal areas; | 1. Acknowledges that the EU is undergoing a severe housing crisis, driven by multiple factors, including rising rents, housing speculation, market dynamics, labour shortages and insufficient social housing, which have far-reaching social and economic consequences, exacerbate social inequalities and push young people and low and middle-income workers in particular towards unstable living conditions, leading to housing precariousness, housing deprivation and invisible poverty; is deeply concerned by the fact that the cost-of-living crisis, combined with high inflation rates and market dynamics, has exacerbated a long-standing problem with housing affordability; notes furthermore that, despite the fact that urban and industrial areas are particularly affected, the housing crisis is not limited to cities and affects all regions, especially those with permanent geographical handicaps, such as rural areas, islands, outermost regions and most coastal areas; notes that the lack of adequate housing can discourage workers from entering the regional labour market and contribute to regional development traps; |
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1a. Insists that the right to housing is a fundamental right that should be included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; stresses the need to safeguard access to affordable, decent and sustainable housing as a public service; underlines that the unlawful occupation of houses is contrary to Article 17 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; |
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1b. Considers that the EPSR has sufficient potential to improve the lives of people living in the EU; insists that housing policies should deliver on the principles and headline targets set out in the EPSR and its action plan, while aligning with the highest EU social standards, social rights and democratic principles, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and fundamental human rights, ensuring that all EU-funded housing projects actively contribute to reducing the lack of housing, inequalities and social exclusion; |
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2. Is convinced that by aligning housing policies with the CP, meaningful progress can be made in tackling the housing crisis and ensuring balanced regional development across the EU; | 2. Is convinced that by aligning housing policies with the CP, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity, meaningful progress can be made in tackling the housing crisis and ensuring balanced regional development across the EU; |
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2a. Proposes that housing policies and actions should be focused on promoting sufficient public and social housing, increasing the sustainable renovation of buildings, reducing vacant dwellings, managing the impact of short-stay rentals on access to affordable housing, and preventing evictions of people in vulnerable situations; requests that housing assistance programmes be made accessible to workers with irregular incomes, young workers and essential workers, and that social housing eligibility criteria do not exclude them; |
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2b. Highlights that the availability of and universal access to quality public services, such as access to affordable, decent and sustainable housing, are necessary conditions for ensuring equal opportunities, improving living conditions and fighting poverty and social exclusion; |
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2c. Recognises that investing in public and social housing contributes to economic stability, job creation and social cohesion, while ensuring upward social convergence; emphasises that a significant increase in public and private investments is urgently needed to tackle the challenges exacerbating the housing crisis; calls on the Commission to allow Member States to define public housing as a strategic investment priority under CP; stresses that EU funds should provide greater financial support to Member States and local authorities to expand public and social housing; reiterates its call on the Commission and the Court of Auditors to assess and disclose whether the use of EU funds and State aid rules negatively impact housing accessibility; |
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3. Welcomes the idea to set up an EU platform on affordable housing with the EIB to leverage cohesion policy funds and private investments, and to provide advisory services that embrace all stages of the project cycle and beyond; | 3. Welcomes the idea to set up an EU platform on affordable housing with the EIB to leverage CP funds and private investments, and to provide advisory services that embrace all stages of the project cycle and beyond; stresses the role of the EIB, in complementarity with the Member States, while ensuring targeted deployment of investments, in particular for energy efficiency renovation, in combating housing vacancies; |
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3a. Acknowledges that market-driven solutions alone are not the only possible way to guarantee access to affordable and adequate housing; urges the Commission to ensure that investments in affordable and social housing remain a permanent and reinforced priority under the post-2027 CP framework, recognising that housing affordability is a structural challenge requiring long-term financial commitments; |
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4. Underlines that, in the current context of housing market failure, the CP and financial instruments such as loans, guaranties and equity in affordable housing, should not be accounted for in the excessive deficit procedure of the Stability and Growth Pact and the European Semester; | deleted |
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4a. Stresses that the use of CP and financial instruments must be tailored to local circumstances to ensure that support reaches the groups most in need; suggests that the Commission prioritise the use of EU grants, rather than relying primarily on loans or guarantees, to support the Member States; |
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4b. Stresses that while homelessness has been on the EU agenda for several years and while awareness of the deepening housing crisis has increased, homelessness has continued to rise in Europe, with a significant portion of homelessness remaining hidden and affecting women and children, young people and migrants the most; stresses the importance of CP investment in supporting the production of social, decent and affordable housing; calls for strict social conditions to be introduced and for a portion of the funding to be earmarked specifically for accessible housing for the most disadvantaged, as part of the planned increase in the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) allocation for investments in affordable housing; calls for EU funds and financing to be used to their maximum potential to support efforts aimed at combating housing exclusion; |
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4c. Calls for the definition of social housing in EU legislation to be broadened, particularly as regards services of general economic interest, in order to include social cohesion and sustainability objectives; |
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4d. Stresses the importance of investments in public, cooperative and social housing for sustainable housing systems; |
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4e. Considers that rental income can be a structural element to supplement citizens’ income amid economic uncertainty; highlights the need for transparency requirements for large-scale real estate investments, and for the monitoring of financial products linked to housing markets; |
Amendment 34
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 f (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4f. Recognises Housing First policies that offer permanent and affordable housing as quickly as possible to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and provide supportive services to people to keep their housing and avoid returning to homelessness; |
Amendment 35
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 5. Asks the managing authorities of CP funds at national and regional level to use the opportunity of the mid-term review of the cohesion policy in the programming period 2021-2027 to at least double the planned funds; recommends that the Member States make use of the existing possibilities for transferring allocations between CP funds; | 5. Asks the managing authorities of CP funds at national and regional level to use the opportunity of the mid-term review of the CP in the programming period 2021-2027 to at least double the planned funds dedicated to housing policies so that they can serve their main objectives and beneficiaries, and tackle the housing crisis; encourages the Member States to make use of the existing possibilities for transferring allocations between CP funds; calls on the Commission to enhance flexibility in their use, allowing national and regional authorities to respond more effectively to local housing needs; stresses the need for a simplified reallocation process, where needed and possible, for urgent housing projects in order to reduce territorial disparities; calls for greater synergies among instruments; |
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 5a. Emphasises the need for coordinated territorial development strategies adapted to local challenges, paying particular attention to highly stressed areas and rural, industrial, peripheral, outermost and structurally disadvantaged regions; calls for an increase in the share of CP funds allocated to housing projects in outermost regions, recognising the additional costs associated with construction, transport of materials and infrastructure development in these territories considering the specific situation of these regions, as enshrined in the Treaties; |
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 5b. Calls on the Commission to introduce greater flexibility in the use of CP funds for housing, allowing Member States and regional authorities to allocate resources more efficiently in response to specific national and local housing needs; stresses the need for a simplified process for reallocating funds toward urgent housing projects; |
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 5c. Stresses that cohesion funds should remain solely dedicated to their original purpose of promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion across the Union, and should not be diverted to finance other EU priorities or initiatives; expresses concern over their repeated use as an emergency response tool, which risks undermining longer-term objectives and leaving behind those that the policy is intended to support; calls on the Commission to introduce strict safeguards to ensure that CP funds are not diverted towards speculative real estate activities, such as short-term rental conversions, luxury developments or investment-driven projects that do not benefit those in need; calls for greater transparency in real estate transactions involving EU-financed housing projects and stronger reporting requirements to track the long-term affordability of such projects; |
Amendment 39
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 6a. Recognises the essential role of construction sector workers in addressing the housing crisis and calls for targeted measures to improve their working and housing conditions; stresses the importance of addressing labour shortages in the construction sector to boost affordable and sustainable housing supply and support local economic growth; calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop strategies for improving specific skills in the construction sector and to make use of ESF+ and CP funds to support such training, particularly for young people and those at risk of unemployment; insists that companies and entities benefiting from EU funds in the housing sector adhere to fair labour practices and inclusive hiring policies, with respect for workers’ rights and in line with EU social standards; |
Amendment 40
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 7. Suggests furthermore that the Commission include in the revision of the ERDF-CF Regulation new specific objectives on affordable and sustainable housing within policy objective 2 on a greener and carbon free Europe, policy objective 4 on a more social Europe and policy objective 5 on a Europe closer to citizens, in order to finance action on housing shortages, improve the quality of housing and ensure that all citizens have access to affordable and adequate housing; | 7. Suggests furthermore that the Commission include in the revision of the ERDF-CF Regulation new specific objectives on decent, affordable, quality, accessible and sustainable housing within policy objective 2 on a greener and carbon free Europe, policy objective 4 on a more social Europe and policy objective 5 on a Europe closer to citizens, in order to finance action on housing shortages, improve the quality and accessibility of housing and ensure that all citizens have access to decent, affordable, quality and accessible housing; proposes, in response to the EU’s demographic change, increasing the availability of adapted housing for persons with disabilities and older persons, fostering independent living, while promoting social interaction, intergenerational support and a sense of community to combat undesired loneliness; |
Amendment 41
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8. Suggests broadening the scope of the ERDF-CF and European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) support beyond the promotion of energy efficiency or renewable energy in housing and social housing, to include innovative approaches that increase affordability, such as community land trust, cooperatives and cost-rent models; | 8. Suggests broadening the scope of the ERDF-CF and European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) support beyond the promotion of energy efficiency or renewable energy in housing and social housing, to include innovative approaches that increase affordability, and support a broader range of projects that promote sustainable, well-planned and quality housing developments, in line with the EPSR and EU cohesion objectives, including community land trust, cooperatives and cost-rent models; supports, moreover, housing initiatives, such as rental assistance for vulnerable groups; |
Amendment 42
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8a. Stresses the need to integrate housing affordability with green targets, ensuring that low-income households benefit from energy efficient renovations and sustainable housing solutions, while ensuring low energy prices for consumers; |
Amendment 43
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10. Asks the Commission to define a framework of affordable housing eligibility criteria that allow local authorities to delimit the target groups of people who are unable to obtain housing at market conditions and who need ERDF-CF support to access residential accommodation that meets appropriate quality standards and is provided at below market prices; | 10. Asks the Commission to define a framework, within the limits of EU competences, of affordable, decent and sustainable housing eligibility criteria that allow local authorities to delimit the target groups of people who are unable to obtain housing at market conditions and who need ERDF-CF support to access residential accommodation that meets appropriate quality standards and is provided at below market prices; |
Amendment 44
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10a. Acknowledges the critical role of local authorities in addressing the housing crisis through urban planning, land management and social housing development; recalls that housing policies should be developed in close consultation with regional and local stakeholders and representatives of people in vulnerable situations, including civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and trade unions; calls on the Commission to ensure the involvement of these actors in the CP implementation; |
Amendment 45
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 11. Notes that combining ERDF-CF and JTF grants with EIB financial instruments can contribute to increasing the leverage effect of investments and access to finance for real estate promoters, builders and final beneficiaries; | 11. Notes that combining ERDF-CF and JTF grants with EIB financial instruments can contribute to increasing the leverage effect of investments and access to finance for real estate promoters, builders and final beneficiaries; supports the EIB’s role in increasing funding for the housing sector by proposing the creation of a dedicated funding line, which should include long-term loans, and considers urban and rural development to be a key area for the future of CP; stresses that transparency in the use of funds and EIB investments is essential to generate a multiplier effect from financial efforts; |
Amendment 46
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 12a. Calls on the Commission and the Court of Auditors to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that EU funds for housing are not misused for speculative purposes; urges greater transparency in real estate transactions involving EU-financed housing projects and stronger reporting requirements to track the long-term affordability of such projects; |
Amendment 47
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13. Notes that investments in affordable and sustainable housing for low-income and middle-class populations should be one of the upcoming strategic priorities of EU cohesion funds under the next multiannual financial framework post-2027 and that the renovation wave strategy must be anchored into regular CP programmes to ensure its continuity; | 13. Stresses that investments in affordable, decent and sustainable housing are fundamental in ensuring cohesion, reducing inequalities and preventing social exclusion; recalls that a modernised CP should be one of the upcoming strategic priorities of EU funds under the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) post-2027, addressing the specific challenges of rural, industrial and highly stressed urban areas, as well as anchoring the renovation wave strategy into regular CP programmes to ensure its continuity; |
Amendment 48
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13a. Notes that the current CP and ESF+ programme were adopted before the emergence of the housing crisis and therefore cannot meet current needs; calls on the Commission, therefore, to ensure that a comprehensive, stable and large-scale needs-and-rights-based budget, that takes into account the need for access to affordable, decent and sustainable housing, is guaranteed for the CP funds and ESF+ in the next MFF; |
Amendment 49
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, within the framework of cohesion policies under the next MFF, to play a greater role in supporting housing policies that guarantee the right to sustainable, decent and affordable housing for all through investment and regulatory measures, including the introduction of binding objectives under the EPSR, a clear earmarking of funds for renovation and the creation of new public social housing stock, specific and additional EU funding for the expansion and requalification of public housing, and a permanent and additional flow of funding in line with EPSR objectives; |
Amendment 50
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13c. Stresses the need to pay particular attention to young and future generations, especially in areas with low levels of economic independence and prolonged stays in the family home; insists that the housing needs of young people require tailored measures and policies such as support for first-time homebuyers and rent support schemes; |
Amendment 51
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13d. Stresses the need for all EU-funded housing investments to align with the European Green Deal objectives by ensuring high energy efficiency standards, reducing energy poverty and incorporating climate adaptation measures; |
Amendment 52
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15. Proposes including in the future cohesion policy an allocation of funds for housing made up of a minimum share of ERDF-CF and ESF+ funds on the basis of national and regional strategies on affordable and sustainable housing for middle- and low-income households in urban and rural areas; | 15. Proposes including in the future CP an allocation of funds for housing made up of a minimum share of ERDF-CF and ESF+ funds specifically for affordable, sustainable and accessible housing on the basis of national and regional strategies on affordable and sustainable housing for middle- and low-income households in urban and rural areas, including social and assisted living solutions for persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as housing models that support autonomy and social inclusion to allow persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society; |
Amendment 53
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15a. Stresses the need for binding accessibility standards and universal design in all EU-funded housing projects, in line with the UNCRPD, prioritising investments in housing adaptations, smart assistive technologies and renovations that enable independent living; |
Amendment 54
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15b. Urges the Commission and the Member States to improve data collection on housing accessibility and conditions for persons with disabilities, using disability-specific indicators to inform evidence-based policymaking; |
Amendment 55
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15c. Calls for capacity building, including administrative and digital support through CP instruments such as ERDF and ESF+, to facilitate the development of sustainable and inclusive housing projects, particularly for persons with disabilities and older people; calls for a shift from institutionalisation towards housing models that promote autonomy and social inclusion, which should be promoted through CP; |
Amendment 56
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16. Calls on the Commission and on the EIB to include in the future cohesion policy a specific duration requirement for operations involving investment in affordable and sustainable housing infrastructure from the CP funds; takes the view that the Commission must ensure that the land and the houses benefiting from EU funds remain in the hands of public authorities to create an EU public housing stock; | 16. Calls on the Commission and on the EIB to assess the impact of including in the future CP a specific duration requirement for operations involving investment in affordable, decent and sustainable housing infrastructure from the CP funds, in particular with regard to improving access for vulnerable groups; takes the view that the Commission must ensure that the land and the houses benefiting exclusively from public and EU funds remain in the hands of public authorities to create an EU public housing stock; |
Amendment 57
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16a. Insists on the importance of prioritising the needs of people in vulnerable situations including children, women, unemployed people and those in precarious jobs, migrants, refugees, victims of human trafficking, persons with disabilities, young and elderly people, homeless people, and Roma people, among others; calls for non-discrimination in access to housing, with effective, independent and accessible complaints mechanisms; stresses that the use of EU funds for housing projects must avoid contributing to segregation or social exclusion; |
Amendment 58
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16b. Welcomes Housing First policies for people in vulnerable situations to ensure that access to housing is guaranteed; encourages the Commission and the Member States to promote the Housing First model as a good practice for addressing homelessness; insists that the housing offered should be independent and stable; |
Amendment 59
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16c. Recalls that people in vulnerable situations have the right to appropriate assistance and protection against forced eviction, especially for households with children; calls on the Member States to strengthen policies that prevent evictions and housing exclusion, including the establishment of rent control mechanisms, emergency rental assistance programmes, mediation services and early intervention tools such as financial counselling and support at the first signs of payment difficulties; urges the Commission to develop EU-wide guidelines on eviction prevention and to monitor the impact of national housing policies on homelessness rates; proposes that support be triggered automatically when an eviction notice is issued to prevent evictions or facilitate relocation to affordable homes; |
Amendment 60
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16d. Is deeply concerned by the high numbers of rough sleepers and people staying in night shelters and temporary accommodation, and in particular the number of homeless minors; stresses that homelessness disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including children, women, unemployed people and those in precarious jobs, migrants, refugees, victims of human trafficking, persons with disabilities, young and elderly people, and Roma people; calls for specific CP measures to address the unique needs of these groups, ensuring access to safe and stable housing as a fundamental right, and contributing to the fight against homelessness; considers it very unlikely that the signatories of the Lisbon Declaration will reach the 2030 target to end homelessness and stresses the need for a clear commitment to such a goal; calls on the Commission to recognise homelessness as a critical social challenge requiring urgent EU-level action; believes that all Member States must invest at least 5 % of their cohesion resources into tackling homelessness; |
Amendment 61
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16e. Welcomes the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness; recalls its objectives as agreed in the Lisbon Declaration and Member States’ commitment to support the policy measures with adequate funding; calls on the Commission to establish a standardised EU-wide framework for collecting data on homelessness, in collaboration with the Member States and civil society organisations, so as to improve policy responses and funding allocation; calls for an expansion of CP funds and the ESF+ to directly support Member States and local authorities in developing comprehensive homelessness strategies, including the construction of emergency shelters, transitional housing and long-term supportive housing solutions; |
Amendment 62
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16f. Welcomes the announcement of an EU affordable housing plan and the launch of a pan-European investment platform on affordable and sustainable housing; stresses that this platform should be aligned with the objectives of the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness in order to strengthen the fight against homelessness through integrated strategies at EU level; shares the ambition to prioritise tackling the housing crisis, in line with the principle of subsidiarity; recommends that urban planning and housing policy incorporate designs that promote mental well-being, including access to green spaces, community centres and noise-reducing architecture; proposes the creation of ‘healing urban spaces’ that foster mental well-being; calls for the development of intergenerational housing models, housing retrofitting programmes for older people, and targeted financial assistance for low-income elderly residents; |
Amendment 63
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 17a. Supports the implementation of Housing First policies across the EU as the most effective strategy to tackle homelessness; stresses the need for integrated services that combine stable housing with mental health, employment and social support; calls for an EU homelessness strategy with a special focus on tackling child homelessness; |
Amendment 64
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 17b. Encourages the Commission and the Member States to promote innovative housing models such as community land trusts, cooperative housing and cost-rent models as viable alternatives to traditional market-driven solutions; calls for dedicated EU funding streams to support such initiatives under the CP framework; |
Amendment 65
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 17c. Calls for mandatory early intervention mechanisms, including financial counselling, mediation services and emergency housing assistance, to prevent evictions and mitigate housing instability, especially for households with children; |
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The rapporteur for the opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
| Date adopted | 13.5.2025 | |
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 32 6 17 |
| Members present for the final vote | Maravillas Abadía Jover, Grégory Allione, Li Andersson, Pascal Arimont, Gabriele Bischoff, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Rachel Blom, Andrzej Buła, David Casa, Estelle Ceulemans, Leila Chaibi, Per Clausen, Henrik Dahl, Johan Danielsson, Marie Dauchy, Mélanie Disdier, Gheorghe Falcă, Chiara Gemma, Niels Geuking, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Isilda Gomes, Alicia Homs Ginel, Sérgio Humberto, Irena Joveva, Marit Maij, Marlena Maląg, Jagna Marczułajtis-Walczak, Eleonora Meleti, Idoia Mendia, Maria Ohisalo, Branislav Ondruš, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Dennis Radtke, Liesbet Sommen, Villy Søvndal, Pál Szekeres, Georgiana Teodorescu, Romana Tomc, Raffaele Topo, Francesco Torselli, Brigitte van den Berg, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Marianne Vind, Mariateresa Vivaldini, Petar Volgin, Jan-Peter Warnke, Séverine Werbrouck | |
| Substitutes present for the final vote | Vivien Costanzo, Estrella Galán, Isabelle Le Callennec, Giusi Princi, Eugen Tomac, Kim Van Sparrentak | |
| Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote | Hanna Gedin, Kai Tegethoff |