EU addresses housing crisis; social exclusion and discrimination against vulnerable groups persist across Europe.
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The European Union is taking specific initiatives to address the growing housing crisis, which has seen real house prices rise by an average of 24% and rental costs increase even more across the EU over the last decade. One in six EU residents lives in overcrowded conditions, contributing to a rise in homelessness. The EU’s plans include strategies against poverty, a plan for affordable housing focusing on the right to a home, and revisions to the European Social Pillar action plan. However, reports indicate that existing social housing policies often benefit the middle class rather than addressing the real emergency for the most vulnerable. Organizations urge the European Commission to prioritize the poorest families, strengthen social housing, ensure stable funding, and support non-profit housing models. While the crisis has common European features, its manifestations vary significantly by country. In Italy, there are over 120,000 homeless with only 4% of social housing stock. Greece faces similar issues, with poor conditions in reception centers despite a high risk of poverty among its population. Romania sees thousands living on the streets, often categorized as “boschetari,” and systemic barriers prevent effective implementation of inclusion strategies. Furthermore, Roma communities across several countries, including Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia, face severe housing problems, overcrowding, and institutional discrimination, with many living in inhumane conditions or informal settlements despite EU frameworks for their inclusion. The text concludes that housing poverty is deeply linked to social and cultural divisions perpetuated by negligent institutions.
