Lisbon Backs European Call for €300 Billion Housing Fund to Tackle Affordable Housing Crisis

Lisbon joins forces with 14 other European cities, led by Barcelona, to push for a €300 billion Affordable Housing Fund aimed at financing social housing and renovating existing stock across EU member states. This initiative is part of the European Action Plan for Housing, proposed by the "Mayors for Housing" alliance, which includes major cities like Amsterdam, Athens, and Paris.

Key Proposals:

• Investment of €80 billion to construct 200,000 new affordable homes and renovate one million homes over four years.
• The plan was presented in Brussels by Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni and Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, with support from EU officials.

EU Response:

• Teresa Ribera, EU Vice-President for the Green Transition, praised the mayors' proposal, indicating the EU's willingness to explore how to meet this significant demand for affordable housing.
• Dan Jorgensen, EU Commissioner for Housing, acknowledged the shared concerns and committed to finding ways to increase funding, possibly through the European Investment Bank (EIB).

This collaborative effort highlights the growing urgency to address housing affordability and quality across Europe, with Lisbon playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of urban living.