Budapest was our latest stop in a growing debate about the future of affordable housing. Housing Europe’s European Responsible Housing Local Workshop, organised with our Hungarian member MR Housing Fund and the Metropolitan Research Institute, brought together experts and practitioners to examine how public, cooperative and social housing can provide a durable answer to a crisis that increasingly shapes economic and political choices. The conversation continued at MR Housing Fund’s annual conference the following day.
Housing Europe Secretary General Sorcha Edwards stressed that Europe is at a turning point for housing policy. But to make this momentum count, investment needs to strengthen long-term affordability, work with the “local fabric”, and support housing systems that generate lasting social and economic value rather than speculation. The sector should also be recognised as long-term socio-economic investment, not simply as public expenditure.
Experiences shared by Housing Europe members showed that strong housing systems are built over decades. Donal McManus reflected on Ireland’s experience rebuilding institutional capacity after the financial crisis, while Björn Mallants presented the Flemish model combining State guarantees and EIB financing to scale up social housing investment.
Discussions involving Bernd Riessland and Daniel Ryšávka focused on the transition beyond the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the importance of securing continuity in the next MFF period. Bernd also pointed to cost-based housing and revolving funds as important European references, while stressing the need for a clearer EU “offer” that housing providers and public authorities can realistically respond to.
