In contrast to resignation in the face of the housing crisis, several EU countries are implementing public policies that demonstrate it is possible to guarantee decent housing at affordable prices. These measures are already in operation, with measurable results, and have become a reference point for steering the market towards social objectives.
In Vienna, the municipal fund Wohnfonds Wien has, since 1995, promoted a tendering model based on economic viability, social sustainability, architectural quality and ecology. Evaluation prioritises overall project quality over price alone, enabling the development of around 46,000 subsidised dwellings housing approximately 100,000 people, with standards comparable to or higher than those in the for-profit private sector.
In Brussels, the CALICO project combines cooperative housing, community land ownership (community land trust) and care services with a gender perspective. Between 2018 and 2021, 34 homes were delivered for vulnerable groups. The model has been transferred to cities such as Fuenlabrada, Thessaloniki and Naples through the Cities 4 Co-Housing network, adapting legal and financial tools to each local context.
In Portugal, the Plano Nacional para o Alojamento no Ensino Superior (PNAES) has mobilised €507 million to expand the public student housing network. It aims to deliver 18,000 affordable beds by June 2026, with rents starting at €91 per month for scholarship students. Despite delays, the programme demonstrates long-term structural planning.
These experiences confirm that decisive public intervention can address market failures and expand rights, provided there is stable funding and rigorous evaluation.
