Finance for more responsible and affordable housing

A critical conversation unfolded on how to drive better funding and financing solutions for social, public, and cooperative housing across Europe. Policymakers, financial experts, and housing advocates came together to share insights, propose solutions, and highlight the urgent need for action to address the growing housing crisis.

In his welcome words, Attilio Dadda, President of Legacoop Lombardia, emphasized the importance of diversity in housing solutions and the essential role of cooperatives in meeting community needs. Sorcha Edwards, Secretary General of Housing Europe, underlined that knowledge, exchange, and collaboration are the foundation of the Finance Working Group.

Voices from the European Commission brought the bigger picture into focus. Mario Nava from DG EMPL explored the critical link between housing and the labour market, highlighting the need for EU-level initiatives. He pointed to the Affordable Housing Plan, championed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as a key opportunity for transformative change. Meanwhile, MEP Pierfrancesco Maran made a compelling case for European legislation, asserting that national policies alone are insufficient to resolve the housing crisis.

Financial and Political Perspectives

Throughout the event, speakers painted a vivid picture of the financial and political challenges facing the housing sector—and the solutions within reach. Johannes M. Boehmer, Vice-Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), acknowledged the political fragility in many countries but emphasized the power of collective knowledge in positioning housing as a human right.

Andrea Colantonio, Lead Economist at the European Investment Bank (EIB), explored the critical role of financial intermediaries. Their deep understanding of local housing needs, legislative frameworks, and provider capacities is vital to bridging the gap between funding and effective solutions. Philippe Moseley of the European Commission added that creating a well-functioning single market could go a long way in reducing construction costs and enhancing efficiency.

 

Innovative Ideas and Proposed Solutions

National and regional leaders offered practical insights and bold proposals for addressing housing challenges. Daniel Ryšávka, Director of Czechia’s Housing Investment Fund, called for a strategic combination of grants and funding instruments, such as the Recovery and Resilience Fund, to empower municipalities in creating affordable housing.

In a broader call for tailored approaches, Helmut von Glasenapp, Secretary General of ELTI, urged the development of funding solutions designed to address the specific needs of various housing markets. From Portugal, João Carvalhosa of GEBALIS stressed the urgency of reform, pointing out how low social housing rents remain highly dependent on public funding.

Representing Italy, Rossana Zaccaria from Legacoop Abitanti presented an ambitious vision for a housing investment platform. This initiative would be built on strong commitments from central, regional, and local authorities, creating a unified approach to tackling housing challenges. The main target: long term rental and affordable housing for cities exceeding 50,000 inhabitants.

Amaryllis Verhoeven of DG GROW summarized the forward-looking agenda laid out by Commissioner Designate for Housing Dan Jørgensen. She paraphrased his four guiding principles: embracing European values, fostering partnerships, driving investment, and promoting innovation across financial, social, and technical domains.

 

The event’s energy culminated in a vibrant pitching session, where representatives of not-for-profit housing organizations from Italy, Belgium, and Ukraine engaged directly with major financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank, alongside technical assistance providers such as ELENA and Urbis. These discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration between grassroots initiatives and large-scale funding bodies.

In closing, Housing Europe President Bent Madsen captured the essence of the day with a simple yet powerful statement: “We need finance to be able to help people.”

 

Find out more about the Housing Europe Finance Working Group by downloading the leaflet below.