The Joint report on employment and social inclusion

Housing is not only monitored for its impact on the macroeconomic performance of Member States (see European Semester) but also for its contribution to social progress in the EU. In the 2017 report on employment and social developments adopted by the Council of Ministers and in the 2015 Social protection performance monitor, housing affordability is considered as a trend to monitor.  However unlike the European Semester, there is no proposal on how to improve affordability in housing.

Housing Europe has been working for many years together with other EU organisations to ensure that there is better consideration of housing affordability when monitoring housing markets and housing policies.

According to the 2016 Social protection performance monitor, household incomes have recently started increasing in many Member States, leading to an improvement in severe material deprivation rates and a reduction in the burden of housing costs in several countries. Nevertheless, looking at the period between 2008 and 2015, the housing cost overburden rate for households has increased in 12 countries. However, unlike the European Semester, there is no proposal on how to improve affordability in housing. Housing Europe has been working for many years together with other EU organisations to ensure that there is better consideration of housing affordability when monitoring housing markets and housing policies.