How the EU Can Help Young People Find a Home

Let’s talk about housing. Not about soaring penthouses and bidding wars. Let’s talk about the kind young people across Europe are struggling to find: a decent, affordable place to call home.

Now, housing policy is primarily a national competency. But here’s the thing: a generation stuck in cramped flatshares or priced out of the market altogether isn’t good for national economies, social mobility, or frankly, the future of Europe.

The EU, as the champion of social progress and economic dynamism, can – and should – play a leading role. We’re not talking about a Housing Commissioner (though that’s a conversation for another day). We’re talking about smart policy frameworks that incentivize member states and empower young Europeans.

Here’s a couple of ideas; and why I insisted on Housing being in our programme.

1. Across the continent, red tape and permitting nightmares are strangling new construction. The EU can work with national governments to streamline approvals, especially for projects that prioritize affordability and diverse housing typologies. Think student dorms, co-operative housing models, and mixed-use developments that integrate housing with offices and green spaces.

2. Financing a first home is a boulder on young shoulders. The EU can encourage national programs that offer loan guarantees, down payment assistance schemes, and tax breaks for first-time buyers. But let’s not forget developers. Here, the EU can create incentives for building diverse housing options, not just luxury condos.

3. From Vienna’s renowned social housing program to innovative co-operative models in Germany, Europe has a wealth of successful housing policies. The EU can act as a platform for knowledge exchange, facilitating member states to learn from each other and adapt successful approaches to their specific contexts.

4. The EU should continue to convene panels of architects, urban planners, mobility experts, and social scientists. To advise on best practices for sustainable, inclusive housing development that integrates seamlessly with transportation networks and public services. Their insights can inform national policy decisions and ensure we’re building not just homes, but livable, thriving communities.

This isn’t about a one-size-fits-all solution. Each member state has its own unique housing challenges. But the EU can be the orchestra conductor, setting the tone and harmonizing national policies towards a shared goal: ensuring young Europeans have a secure and affordable place to build their lives.

This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about a generation feeling empowered, rooted in their communities, and ready to contribute their full potential to a brighter European future. Let’s get building.