Since 2015, housing prices have increased by over 20% 📊. In major European cities, rents for one-bedroom flats have risen by up to 48% between 2014 and 2023. 🏚️ 17% of Europeans currently live in overcrowded housing.🚫Meanwhile, building permits for residential housing have dropped by over 20% since 2021.
👉 This is not just a market imbalance. Europe’s housing crisis is a structural social, economic and environmental issue that demands bold, long-term, systemic solutions.
That is completely the aim of the CBC project, launched in january 2025 and funded by Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) programme.
🔨With 10 partners across the region, we are working to expand the supply of affordable housing by transforming existing buildings, re-evaluating usage, and reusing materials. A circular, collaborative and scalable approach to tackling this growing challenge.
📣 Today, the European Commission’s Task Force on Affordable Housing has launched a public consultation to help shape the forthcoming European Affordable Housing Plan (2026). This is a crucial opportunity to contribute and help guide innovative responses like ours. 📅 The consultation is open until 17 October 2025.
Take part here 👉europa.eu/!6fHwB3
🗣️ As EU Commissioner for Housing, Dan Jørgensen, reminds us:
“Tackling the housing crisis which is affecting millions of Europeans requires inclusive action. The voice of our citizens is extremely important to shape the European Affordable Housing Plan which can really impact people’s lives across the entire European Union.”
💬 Now is the time to speak up. Let’s build a future where everyone has access to affordable, sustainable and decent housing.