Social and affordable housing in Europe

Policy interventions should focus on affordable housing, aligning supply and demand, and reducing the risk of displacement of disadvantaged and low-income groups. While government support and fiscal stabilisers helped European countries cope with the pandemic, they exacerbated inequalities between the economically strong north and other regions in Europe. Long-term strategies should prioritise housing stability and targeted support for vulnerable populations. International financial institutions, such as the CEB, have a key role to play in tackling housing deprivation and nurturing inclusive, resilient housing markets across Europe.
This CEB Discussion Paper identifies some chief market gaps, compares the challenges in Europe’s different regions, and distils key policy lessons.