The European Responsible Housing Awards (ERHA) 2025 are proud to unveil this year’s shortlist of pioneering initiatives from across Europe. These finalists represent the forefront of responsible, affordable, inclusive, and sustainable housing—offering practical and inspiring responses to today’s housing challenges.


Organised by Housing Europe and the International Union of Tenants (IUT), with the support of DELPHIS, the Awards showcase housing providers who go beyond bricks and mortar, championing affordability, social equity, security of tenure, climate action, tenants’ co-decision and collaborative governance in the housing sector.


“We are delighted to welcome everyone to Dublin for the 5th edition of our Awards, a celebration of innovation, inclusion, and impact.  Everyone is a winner – each shortlisted project stands out as prime examples of what the field of social and affordable housing has to offer,  showcasing not only excellence but the diversity and representativity that our communities embody. This tradition continues to spotlight hands-on, grounded solutions. These are not just ideas, they are lived realities, shaped by the very tenants who experience them every day. Their insights are a powerful reality check, reminding us of the importance of designing with people, not just for them” said Barbara Steenbergen (IUT), Chair of the European Responsible Housing Awards Jury.


This year, 25 finalists from 12 countries have been selected across five categories, following a competitive review by an independent European jury composed of housing experts, tenant representatives, urban planners, representatives of the European institutions, and academics. The variety of shortlisted projects reflects the diversity and creativity of Europe’s housing landscape—from energy-efficient retrofits to initiatives boosting community resilience, tenant participation, and social inclusion.


“Public, social, cooperative and community-led housing should be the backbone of Europe’s national housing systems to ensure innovation for resilience, financial stability and affordability. When we see these examples, we are convinced that support for this new housing paradigm needs to be at the heart of the EU’s affordable housing plan” said Bent Madsen, President, Housing Europe.


“We are really impressed,” said Zeno Winkels, Director of the Dutch Union of Tenants. “The quality is higher than ever—projects not only address energy poverty but also push for circular construction, community-building, and safeguarding space for vulnerable groups.”


The 2025 Award Categories:

Management excellence for housing affordability

  • Kombohus – industrial construction and framework procurement agreements for good affordable housing: Standardised, high-quality housing built through framework agreements to reduce construction costs (Kiruna, Sweden)
  • Socialising vacant public properties for security of tenure and housing stability in Thessaloniki: Revitalising unused public buildings in Thessaloniki to create secure, socially-managed housing (Greece)
  • Stockholmshusen – a collaboration project to build thousands of rental apartmentst: A public sector collaboration to build thousands of affordable rental homes efficiently and quickly. (Sweden)
  • zero carbon refurbishment – sustainable housing development and affordability: A model for sustainable retrofitting that adds affordable units while preserving existing buildings.(Salzburg, Austria)


More than a roof” – supporting communities of equal opportunities

  • Empowering Lives: A Holistic Approach to Housing Justice: A holistic approach to housing justice, combining stable housing with long-term support services. (Budapest, Hungary)
  • LEBENSCAMPUS WOLFGANGGASSE (Life Campus Wolfganggasse): A mixed-use urban quarter integrating housing, education, and social care. (Vienna, Austria)
  • Residential area Kirchhof St. Nikolaus: A diverse housing development blending cooperative, church-based, public, and private models. (Freiburg, Germany)
  • Sostre Cívic: Non-speculative housing cooperatives that promote inclusive and sustainable communities. (Barcelona, Spain)
  • The “new way” to happy healthy ageing: Rethinking housing for older adults through active ageing and community connection. (Avon, France)
  • Yrkesskolevegen: A participatory housing model where tenants co-create their living environment to foster growth and inclusion. (Charlottenlund, Norway)


Agents of green transition, leaders of innovation

  • Affordable green living incl. free electricity – Nothing is as constant as change!: Energy-efficient renovation of historic housing estates, enhancing social infrastructure. (Innsbruck, Austria)
  • Cooperative Housing Irelands Warmth and Wellbeing project: Upgrading poorly rated homes to high energy standards with minimal tenant disruption. (Dublin, Ireland)
  • Heuvelstraat Redevelopment: Building the Future of Housing: A pilot in circular construction to rebuild homes sustainably and reduce CO₂ emissions. (Silvolde, Netherlands)
  • NAVARRA SOCIAL HOUSING Plan – Phase 1: Expanding social rental stock through passive and efficient building design. (Pamplona, Spain)
  • Wientalterrasse: A fossil-free, inclusive housing complex combining intergenerational living with a bold energy vision. (Vienna, Austria)

 
Building strategic alliances, fostering community participation

  • Communal Neighborhood – Support and Security in Everyday Life: Affordable homes with shared spaces and strong resident support systems. (Helsinki, Finland)
  • Gestor Entrada (Entrance Manager): Strengthening social inclusion through participatory management in municipal housing complexes. (Matosinhos, Portugal)
  • Haven: Room to breathe, Space to grow: A student housing community designed to support connection, wellbeing, and affordable living. (Eindhoven, Netherlands)
  • Housing Cooperative De Warren – A fully resident-led housing cooperative, from design and development to long-term management. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
  • Residents Assembly/Live the Neighborhood Program: Empowering grassroots groups with tools and funding to lead their own local projects. (Braga, Portugal)


Going the extra mile for safe and sound living

  • Dare to Care – The Young Summer Staff Against Violence Program: Empowering youth and staff to foster safer, more inclusive housing environments. (Gothenburg, Sweden)
  • Flexwoningen Oosterenk: A cross-sector effort to create inclusive and sustainable modular housing with built-in care services. (Zwolle, Netherlands)
  • “Health Housing: A New Generation of Social Housing for Well-being”: Social housing designed in collaboration with health professionals to promote wellbeing and healthy living. (Voisins-le-Bretonneaux, France)
  • Preserving the right to housing, restoring dignity: Preventing evictions by acquiring properties from financial institutions and supporting residents in place. (Barcelona, Spain)
  • PROGRAMA LOTES COMVIDA: Involving residents in the cooperative management of municipal housing through training and participatory structures. (Lisbon, Portugal)

 
“Housing is many things coming together: services, amenities, security. When you have a good home, you’re in better health, you can get a good job, your children go to school,” said Eddie Jacquemart, President of the French Union of Tenants. “It’s a right—this is what these projects affirm.”


“The European Responsible Housing Awards should inspire everyone, especially the EU when they shape the policy on housing,” said Michaela Kauer, Director of the Vienna House Brussels.


“We’ve seen incredible innovation—from cooperatives to community land trusts to limited-profit models,” added Marcos Ros Sempere, Member of the European Parliament  “These finalists are showing us the future of affordable housing in Europe.


The winners will be announced during a special Awards Ceremony taking place on the 5th of June 2025 in Dublin, during the International Social Housing Festival, bringing together stakeholders from across the housing sector, EU institutions, tenants and civil society.
 
About the Awards
First launched in 2014, the European Responsible Housing Awards aim to highlight the people and policies that are reimagining housing in Europe—not as a commodity, but as a right, a service, and a foundation for a fairer future.

To attend the ceremony at the ISHF, please register here.