EU targets housing crunch

Europe’s housing crisis has pushed the European Commission to unveil the European Plan for Affordable Housing, a wide-ranging effort to boost supply, curb speculation and stabilise prices. Since 2013, EU home prices have risen by more than 60%, far outpacing incomes, while rents climbed around 20%. At the same time, building permits have fallen 22% since 2021, deepening shortages in major cities.