On 7 July 2026, the European Parliament adopted a decision extending the term of office of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union by six months and expanding its responsibilities. The decision, which amends the original 18 December 2024 decision establishing the committee, enables continued parliamentary oversight and policy development on affordable, sustainable, and decent housing across the EU.
The extended mandate tasks the committee with monitoring the Commission's response to Parliament's March 2026 resolution on the housing crisis and promoting its policy proposals. The committee will map existing EU, national, regional, and local housing policies, with a focus on social, sustainable, and affordable housing in cities, islands, coastal, and rural areas, including accessibility for persons with disabilities. It will also identify priorities for EU housing legislation and participate in the 2027 housing simplification procedure, coordinate with the Commission to identify best practices for legal certainty and protection of property owners and tenants, and assess barriers affecting the construction sector.
Further responsibilities include organising regular meetings with the European Investment Bank to monitor the Pan-European Investment Platform for affordable and sustainable housing, analysing the impact of abusive financialisation and speculation, and assessing whether house price and rent trends are reflected in cost-of-living indicators. The committee will also map the effectiveness of public and private resources for housing and homelessness eradication, analyse systemic issues with short-term accommodation rentals, and monitor implementation of EU legislation on short-term rental data collection. It will analyse the effects of EU policies on housing availability and affordability, including State aid rules, identify shortages and financing needs and contribute to multiannual financial framework discussions, and assess the impact of public, cooperative, non-profit, and limited-profit housing solutions. The committee is also tasked with organising expert meetings to support the EU Affordable Housing Plan and European Housing Alliance, conducting study visits, and preparing for and following up on the EU Housing Summit 2026. At the end of its extended term, the committee is invited to present conclusions on the implementation of Parliament's March 2026 resolution.
The decision reinforces the European Parliament's sustained engagement with the housing crisis across the EU. By extending the special committee's mandate and broadening its responsibilities, the decision enables deeper scrutiny of EU and national housing policies, facilitates coordination between EU institutions and Member States, and promotes the development of targeted legislative and financial instruments. Potential implications include enhanced monitoring of the EU Affordable Housing Plan and the Pan-European Investment Platform; greater attention to housing affordability in EU cost-of-living indicators and the next multiannual financial framework; potential new legislative measures on short-term rentals, State aid for social housing, and construction sector barriers; and strengthened protection for tenants and property owners. The decision also underscores the EU's role in enabling Member State action while respecting subsidiarity.