At a seminar held on 6 March 2025 in Warsaw under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), alongside Korczak University and EAPN Poland (Poland’s European Anti-Poverty Network), called for urgent EU-wide action to ensure access to decent, sustainable, and affordable housing for all. 

Under the banner ‘Housing for All,’ the event highlighted housing as a fundamental right and public good – not a market commodity. It focused on the needs of vulnerable groups, including young people, families, the elderly, and people with disabilities, stressing the importance of social housing and public intervention. 

Key speakers, including EESC members Krzysztof Balon and Mateusz Szymanski, called on the EU to act quickly to address the housing crisis.

Contributions emphasised that housing should be treated as essential social infrastructure, akin to education and healthcare. 

Looking ahead, the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan (early 2026) and a proposed European Strategy for Housing Construction aim to support national housing policies with increased cohesion funding and new regulatory tools. The seminar served as a platform for shared solutions, urging coordinated action among governments, civil society, and the private sector.

 

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