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Preface
Europe is facing a crisis of housing affordability that touches every corner of our continent. For too many of our citizens, finding a home that is affordable has become an impossible task. This urgent social and economic reality led me to launch Europe’s first-ever Affordable Housing Plan. It recognises that improving the affordability of housing goes hand in hand with sustainability and quality.
Supply has not kept up with evolving demand due to high construction costs, innovation deficits, shortages of skilled labour and excessive red tape. The EU will need more than two million homes per year to match the current demand. However, this doesn’t just mean new buildings.
Maximising the efficient use of the existing building stock – avoiding unnecessary demolitions and waste – should be a priority alongside new construction. This includes renovating inefficient buildings and bringing vacant properties back into use. In addition, the construction sector has huge potential to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water use by switching to more innovative, decarbonised and biobased materials.
With National Building Renovation Plans due later this year, Member States have a historic opportunity to transform the building stock. Our goal remains clear: to accelerate renovation rates and ensure that our buildings are resilient and fit for a future powered by reliable, affordable and clean energy.
I am glad that this report by Nordic Sustainable Construction provides inspiring examples of practical ways to achieve this vision, and I thank them for this important work.
