On Monday 20 April, Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen met with a group of young people for a Youth Dialogue on housing in Barcelona: a great opportunity for him to hear at first-hand how today’s housing pressures are reshaping study choices, careers, health and independence for young people across Europe.
“We know that having a home is essential and very personal. That’s why I want to hear your stories,” the Commissioner opened, inviting participants to share their experiences.
The participants shared their personal housing experiences and brought concrete ideas to improve the situation.
An Erasmus student from Belgium highlighted how uneven housing conditions can be across the EU, and called for better visibility of solutions that already exist, such as intergenerational living models that she knows from her home country.
Others described the reality behind the statistics: a full-time student spoke of growing up with housing instability and the toll it took on their family’s wellbeing, explaining how finally securing social housing felt “like winning the lottery” and helped stabilise a parent’s health after severe stress.
Another participant described the daily strain of commuting long distances from the family home while trying to start university life, noting how seasonal contracts, high prices and restrictions on couples renting together make stable housing even harder to secure.
A young journalist drew attention to the widening gap between wages and rents, describing how, in some cases, “the average rent can be higher than young people’s salary.” Another participant who moved to Spain from another EU country, spoke candidly about discrimination, telling how she would often be told accommodation is unavailable, but when Spanish friends enquire, it would be available.
Participants also brought forward perspectives too often overlooked in housing debates. One young person described how a spinal cord injury had transformed herhousing options, and how lack of accessible homes can lead to unnecessary institutionalisation, which keeps people out of their communities and limits full participation in society.
One participant summed it up with “It’s not about having a place to stay, it’s about having a place to live.”
Responding directly to the issues raised, Commissioner Jørgensen underlined that housing has become “a generational problem in Europe,” and stressed the need for solutions that reflect different needs—students, families, and people with disabilities.
On short-term rentals, the Commissioner acknowledged the flexibility and extra income that some families can get from renting out a spare room but warned that excessive profit incentives in the commercialisation of short-term rentals can “crowd local people out.” He noted that the Commission is preparing EU-level legislation aimed at giving cities practical tools to act, so that local authorities can better manage impacts on housing availability.
The Commissioner also pointed to the need to use existing housing stock more effectively, including through tackling empty properties and addressing the problem that housing is increasingly bought purely as a commodity. He emphasised that simply building more is not always enough, referencing experiences in Spain where high construction levels have not prevented prices from rising, and highlighted the potential of repurposing existing buildings, such as converting former institutional facilities into student housing.
On affordability and inclusion, Commissioner Jørgensen stressed that disability should never be a disadvantage in finding a home, while also noting the importance of balancing requirements to avoid driving up costs.
Throughout the dialogue, the Commissioner repeatedly returned to the importance of lived experience in policymaking, connecting participants’ stories to the Commission’s work on empowering cities, improving affordability and tackling market pressures.
“I read a lot of reports every day, which is very important in my job” he said, “but in the end, it’s about improving the lives of Europeans, which is why I cherish hearing your personal experiences.”
After meeting the Commissioner, the group of young people participating in the dialogue prepared these 4 recommendations for Commission’s further work on housing.
Recommendation 1
Tackle the climate and housing crises together by promoting traditional building methods and incentivising low‑carbon materials to deliver affordable, sustainable homes. Prioritise renovation and better use of existing homes, while protecting current tenants throughout refurbishment and rehabilitation.
Recommendation 2
Increase the supply of available housing. Make better use of existing building stock by expanding and supporting social rental agencies while removing legislation that keeps units off the market, as well as promoting non-profit, cooperative and community-led housing to ensure long-term affordability. Mobilise EU funds, financing and public guarantees to invest in new student housing, support young home-buyers and innovative construction models.
Recommendation 3
Commit to long-term, cross-party planning agreements with all levels of government for affordable and social housing that involve all related sectors and align planning targets across local, regional and national borders where housing markets are interconnected. Protect affordability and tenure over time by keeping homes within their intended category/segment, maintaining quality standards, and enabling long-term residence.
Recommendation 4
Put social justice and equal opportunity at the centre of housing policy by ensuring access for groups with structurally lower incomes. Promote mixed neighbourhoods with public, social and private housing that can accommodate different households and family types of all ages while ensuring homes are well connected to jobs, education, and essential services.
Get involved
As the Commission rolls out the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan, we invite everyone to take part and makes their voices heard. The next chance is at the High-Level Event on Housing on 5 May co-organized with the European Parliament. Check housing.ec.europa.eu regularly for the latest updates.
