The European Commission on 17 July 2026 registered the European citizens' initiative 'Right to Housing! Now and Forever', clearing the way for organisers to begin collecting signatures across the European Union. The decision, published on 24 July 2026, follows a process in which the Commission initially found parts of the original submission did not meet registration requirements, leading organisers to submit an amended version on 22 June 2026.
regulating short-term rentals and vacancy; converting empty buildings into housing; creating incentives and fast permits for renovation; ensuring public money serves people not speculation; reforming fiscal rules for housing investment; creating an EU housing fund; setting enforceable affordability and sustainability standards; keeping people in their homes during EU-funded renovation; and establishing an EU Housing Agency. The Commission concluded that none of the parts manifestly fall outside its powers to propose EU legal acts, citing possible legal bases including Articles 114, 113, 115, 174, 175, 192, 194, 64, 177, 178, and 322 TFEU.
The decision does not confirm the factual correctness of the initiative's content, and registration does not imply endorsement or guarantee future legislative action. The initiative is addressed to contact persons Josiane Schmidt and Francesca Romana D'Antuono. Organisers now have up to 12 months to collect at least one million signatures from at least seven member states to trigger a formal Commission response.
Housing advocacy groups and civil society organisations see the registration as a step toward EU-level action on housing affordability, while property owners and short-term rental platforms may face increased regulation if the initiative gains traction. EU member states could see pressure to align national housing policies with EU standards, and the European Parliament and Council would be involved in any subsequent legislative proposals.