In her political guidelines, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had already announced that she would pay more attention to the issues of affordable housing and the protection of democracy in this legislative period. It was not only the EU Commission that recognised the need for action. The EU Parliament has set up special committees on the housing crisis in the EU and the European Democracy Shield - currently the only existing special committees. From the first constitutive meeting, these have a term of 12 months to hold debates and eventually submit final reports.

Special Committee HOUS - Paving the way for affordable housing
Housing costs in the EU have risen sharply over the last decade. For an increasing number of EU citizens, the costs have become a major burden. The newly established special committee HOUS has 33 members, including Austrian MEP Andreas Schieder (S&D). It is chaired by Italian MEP Irene Tinagli (S&D), according to whom housing is a fundamental right of all EU citizens. Members are now working on a comprehensive report to address the challenges of decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Among other things, the specific housing needs of different population groups are to be dealt with and existing housing policy measures are to be analysed. Speculation and vacancy as well as problems caused by short-term rentals will also be examined. To date, the committee has organised, inter alia, two events on affordable housing and addressing the housing crisis in the EU, as well as on state aid rules.

Special Committee EUDS - Protection of democracy
The special committee EUDS focuses on the systematic analysis of threats to democratic processes and institutions in the EU and the member states. Chair Nathalie Loiseau (Renew) explained the need to establish the committee as follows: “Democracies come under attack because of what they are, namely systems of government that allow freedom and pluralism. Authoritarian regimes, but non-state actors too, are now seeking to attack our democracies, interfere in our electoral processes and prevent citizens from deciding - calmly and at ease - whom they want to vote into office." The work focuses, among other things, on the evaluation of disinformation campaigns and interference in electoral processes as well as on the critical review of existing rule of law mechanisms. Democracies should be able to protect themselves from threats inside and outside the EU. Among the 33 members is the Austrian MEP Helmut Brandstätter (Renew), among the deputies is Lukas Mandl (EPP). The aim of the committee is to produce a half-term and a final report on the threats to democracy.

Outlook
With the establishment of the two special committees, the EU Parliament is addressing important issues. In the view of AK, there is a market failure in the housing sector. The EU member states should therefore be encouraged to promote social and affordable housing. Legal barriers to this must be removed at EU level. Dan Jørgensen is the first EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing who has been tasked with presenting a European Plan for Affordable Housing. However, concrete proposals are still pending. Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath is due to present a new European Shield for Democracy in autumn 2025. The EU Commission is currently conducting a public consultation in which citizens can express their views. It remains to be seen whether the two special committees will help pave the way for necessary policy action in the EU.

Further information:
AK EUROPA: Housing crisis in the EU. What can the EU do to solve it?
ETUC: The right to adequate, decent and affordable housing
ETUI: A new momentum for affordable housing in the EU?
A&W Blog: Leistbares Wohnen – ein Begriff mit Diskussionsbedarf (German only)
EU Commission: Protecting Democracy