Social housing and beyond : operational toolkit on the use of EU funds for investments in social housing and associated services

The housing crisis is present across the whole of the EU, with some Member States facing it more starkly than others. Many Europeans struggle to find affordable and decent housing. Housing is not only a question of bricks and mortar. It impacts our communities and our social cohesion. The right to decent and affordable housing is at the heart of the strong social Europe we want. Social housing must remain central when developing housing policies, to protect European citizens, particularly the most vulnerable. Housing is a complex issue that requires a holistic policy approach encompassing economic, social and financial considerations. This is why we need strong political engagement, efficient housing policies and adequate financing. Our common approach should be based on a triple A approach: available, affordable and adequate housing. This is the best way to empower people and provide them with social and economic opportunities. EU funds can provide Member States with additional financial resources for their endeavour in investing in adequate housing. EU funds are also a catalyst for policy reforms and for strong partnerships among different actors to ensure decent and affordable housing for all. To make the best use of EU funds, close cooperation between the EU, Member States, regions and cities is of the essence. This toolkit provides an overview of all the opportunities offered by EU funds in the field of social housing and associated services. Through concrete case studies across a large number of countries, it shows the impact these funds can have on the ground. For example, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Member States programmed targeted reforms and investments in affordable and social housing and other social infrastructure amounting to around EUR 15 billion. Other EU funds such as the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund+ and the InvestEU programme also support access to affordable and social housing and related services. Making sure everyone can access affordable housing is complex but it is an imperative.