Building Homes, Building Futures: EIB’s New Action Plan on Affordable and Sustainable Housing
- maria tsaousi
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
The European housing crisis has reached a critical point, with soaring rents, homeownership out of reach for many, and sustainable housing still a dream in too many regions. But on June 16, 2025, a promising step forward was unveiled in Strasbourg.
At a press point held in the European Parliament, Irene Tinagli, Chair of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union (HOUS), and Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), introduced a new EIB Action Plan on Affordable and Sustainable Housing—a much-needed initiative aimed at tackling the deepening crisis across member states.
A Bold Vision for Housing
The action plan, freshly approved by the EIB, aims to:
Expand financing options for social and affordable housing projects,
Accelerate construction and project development with end-to-end support,
Encourage green, sustainable building practices that align with EU climate goals.
This isn’t just about money—it’s about strategy. The EIB plans to provide technical assistance, simplify access to funds for local and regional authorities, and help speed up project delivery by removing bottlenecks in the current system.
What They Said
During the press point, Chair Tinagli emphasized that the housing crisis is “a social emergency with long-term economic consequences,” while Vice-President Tsakiris noted that the EIB is ready to be a "catalyst for fair and green housing transformation."
Their remarks set the stage for the evening’s HOUS committee meeting, where the full action plan was debated in detail.
Why This Matters
Affordable housing is no longer just a city issue. Rural areas face depopulation, young people are being priced out of their communities, and vulnerable populations are often left behind. Meanwhile, climate targets require a shift to low-carbon buildings, which can be costly to implement without adequate support.
This EIB initiative attempts to balance affordability with sustainability, offering hope for more inclusive and climate-resilient cities.
A European Response to a European Crisis
The HOUS committee meeting later that evening continued the momentum, with MEPs across political lines highlighting the urgent need for EU-level support, particularly for projects at the local level.
As the EIB moves from planning to action, all eyes will be on how quickly and effectively these funds and services reach the ground. Successful implementation could set a new standard for housing policy in Europe—and perhaps globally.
What’s Next?
The full text of the EIB housing action plan is expected to be published in the coming weeks. For now, the message is clear: Europe is ready to invest not just in buildings, but in livable, equitable, and sustainable communities.
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