What do most of Europe’s vibrant cities have in common? They are all struggling with a shortage of affordable housing for people with tight incomes.

Last week, mayors from cities like Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Rome, and Paris took a stand. Meeting with EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and the Chair of the European Parliament’s housing committee, they called for increased EU investment in affordable housing.

The mayors are demanding the creation of a dedicated EU fund, the reallocation of unspent recovery funds, and reforms to State Aid rules and the Stability and Growth Pact to allow for greater public investment in housing.

Their call is urgent. As cities continue to grow, securing affordable housing is critical for long-term social stability. For more details on their bold call to action, check out Eurocities’ full report.