Tackling the housing crisis for fairer, more liveable and resilient cities

Every day, local leaders witness the impact that the housing crisis has on their communities, from an increase in homelessness to the struggle – even for the middle class – to find affordable, quality accommodation.

Tackling the housing crisis is imperative if we want to preserve our democracy, maintain trust in institutions and ensure social cohesion.

In early 2026, the European Commission is expected to propose a European Affordable Housing Plan, while the European Parliament’s special Housing Committee will publish a report. For Energy Cities’ Members, this initiative must serve as a catalyst to shape the cities of tomorrow: fair, liveable and resilient.

Supporting cities in defending the right to housing  

For months, Energy Cities has been working with local authorities to dig into the housing crisis, understanding what cities need to overcome this emergency and collecting requests and best practices that could inspire other municipalities.

This paper is one of the results of that work. Energy Cities and its members call on policymakers to empower local governments and integrate sufficiency and urban planning approaches by including five key recommendations in the Affordable Housing Plan. New construction alone cannot be the solution. Our cities are full of empty homes and vacant buildings that could be renovated to meet urgent needs. By fostering a cultural shift, prioritising affordable housing, and providing municipalities with the support they need, we can adopt a long-term perspective—ensuring both social justice and the sustainable development of the EU.

Read our policy paper Tackling the housing crisis for fairer, more liveable and resilient cities to learn more about our five key recommendations.

Curious to know how different European cities are addressing the housing crisis? Read the stories of Verona, Utrecht, Lille Métropole and Budapest.