Decision on setting up a special committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office

The European Parliament adopted by 480 votes to 148, with 20 abstentions, a decision on setting up a special committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office.

Members recalled that the European Pillar of Social Rights states that access to social housing or housing assistance of good quality is to be provided for those in need and this is to be implemented at both Union and national level within their respective competences.

The European Union is facing a housing crisis, with people of all ages across different income groups struggling with high prices and scarcity of affordable homes, which is a matter of great concern for many Union citizens and prevents them, particularly young people, from starting an independent life.

It is therefore necessary to have a holistic approach on housing combining different policies dealt with in different committees within Parliament.

Against this background, Parliament decided to set up a special committee named ‘Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union’ with the aim of proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing, and that that committee will be responsible for the following:

- map current housing needs across territories and population groups, particularly low and middle income groups, and to assess the impact of scarcity of housing on inequalities, affordability, demography, poverty and social exclusion, including using existing gender-disaggregated data;

- analyse the impact of housing speculation and its economic consequences, as well as to propose follow-up actions;

- assess whether the trend in house prices and rents is adequately taken into account in the cost of living indicators;

- analyse systemic issues with short-term accommodation rentals and their impact on the availability of affordable housing in particularly affected areas and to make relevant proposals;

- assess potential barriers affecting the construction sector and their impact on the housing crisis;

- assess policies and legislative proposals needed to improve the provision and availability of decent, sustainable and affordable housing, including by enabling new construction, housing reconversion and renovation programs, taking into consideration the potential of vacant buildings;

- map innovative technologies, processes, services and products to support the renovation wave;

- contribute to the development and the future implementation of the European affordable housing plan and the European strategy for housing construction to be presented by the Commission.

The Standing committee will have 33 members. The term of office of the special committee will be 12 months. That term will start running from the date of its constituent meeting.