Brussels – On Tuesday (16 December), the European Commission (EC) unveiled its action plan aimed at ensuring affordable housing. This issue is currently being examined by a special committee on the housing crisis (HOUS) in the European Parliament, which includes two Slovak MEPs – Martin Hojsík (PS) and Monika Beňová (Smer-SD), according to TASR’s correspondent.
The European Commission is focused on improving access to affordable, sustainable, and quality housing for EU citizens.
“Having a home is essential for family stability and quality of life. High housing costs endanger the futures of young people in Slovakia and across the EU. In Bratislava, a typical young individual would need to save their entire salary for nearly 24 years to afford a 75-square-metre apartment,” warned EP Vice-President Martin Hojsík.
He emphasized that it is crucial for the EU and its institutions to pursue unified European solutions to this issue.
The EC’s proposals for affordable housing may not be ideal, but they represent a step in the right direction
“I am pleased that after years of advocacy, the European Commission has finally presented these proposals. While they are not perfect, they are indeed moving in the right direction,” he stated. He highlighted the need for improved access to financing for municipal rental housing construction, enhanced digitalization and expedited permitting processes, prioritization of utilizing underused or neglected urban properties over agricultural land, and reduced bureaucracy in the application of new eco-friendly materials that lower construction costs. According to him, these measures will contribute to making housing more affordable for all.
Monika Beňová noted that housing prices and rents are climbing faster than wages throughout Europe; since 2010, EU housing prices have risen by over 50 percent, with rents increasing by a quarter.
“For young individuals, young families, and urban workers, housing has become an unattainable luxury. This issue is no longer solely economic; it has evolved into a social concern. The Commission acknowledges the housing market’s shortcomings and proposes a plan to enhance affordable housing. It emphasizes increased investment in apartment construction and renovation and the relaxation of state aid regulations so that governments and municipalities can act more swiftly and flexibly. This is a significant signal for Slovakia. Brussels is finally recognizing that housing cannot be left solely to market forces,” she remarked.
She highlighted bureaucracy as a major barrier to housing development, stating that the complexity of European and national regulations delays permitting processes, raises costs, and deters smaller construction firms. She advocates for the EU to adopt simpler rules and quicker decision-making procedures.
She finds the initiative to involve regional and development banks in financing social and rental housing to be promising. “However, Europe hesitates to make substantial public investments. These could lead to rapid and meaningful changes. Housing is not merely a commodity; it is a fundamental necessity of life,” she asserted. She also considers the EC’s proposal to enhance monitoring of property prices and ownership to combat speculation to be relevant for Slovakia. (17 December)
Leave a Reply