Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, in a written answer on 28 July 2026, outlined how the European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) will address the specific housing challenges of EU islands, but ruled out a dedicated 'Statute of the EU Islands' and 'Islands Pact' as called for by the European Parliament. The answer, responding to a question from Greek MEP Elena Kountoura (The Left), signals the Commission's preference for mainstreaming island concerns into existing policies rather than creating new island-specific instruments.
Jørgensen emphasised that the EAHP recognises the diverse housing challenges across territories, including tourist-heavy islands facing shortages and unaffordability. He pointed to ten concrete actions under the plan, such as the upcoming Affordable Housing Act in 2026, which will provide a framework for authorities to identify areas under housing stress and promote affordability. The Commission also adopted a Strategy for Islands (COM(2026) 520 final) to better reflect their needs across EU policies. However, Jørgensen explicitly stated that the Statute of the EU Islands and Island Pact are not among the proposed actions, rejecting the Parliament's call for special recognition of insularity.
On funding, Jørgensen noted that the EU has already mobilised at least EUR 43 billion in housing-related investment under the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) through various funds, and that island regions have access to these programmes. He added that social and affordable housing is among the specific objectives proposed for the next MFF, but stressed that final funding possibilities depend on ongoing negotiations between co-legislators. The answer did not commit to a dedicated funding line for islands, instead pointing to reprogramming of Cohesion Policy funds during the mid-term review.
The response reflects a cleavage between the Commission's approach of integrating island concerns into broader EU policies and the Parliament's push for targeted legal and financial instruments. For island residents, the lack of a dedicated statute may mean continued difficulty in accessing affordable housing, while the EAHP's framework could provide some relief through stress-area identification. For EU policymakers, the answer signals that the Commission prioritises flexibility and subsidiarity over binding island-specific measures. The institutional follow-up will depend on the outcome of MFF negotiations and the implementation of the Affordable Housing Act, with the next steps expected in 2027-2028.