On the 5th of June 2025, we celebrated the European Responsible Housing Awards (ERHA) ceremony, awarding the winners of each of the five categories. The ceremony took place in the context of the International Social Housing Festival in Dublin and was the occasion to meet in person and mutually learn from each other´s good practices in the affordable housing sector. Barbara Steenbergen, chair of the Jury: “This edition has received 82 submissions across five categories from 12 countries, and we are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s European Responsible Housing Awards”.
“Management excellence for housing affordability” category
Stockholmhusen, – a collaboration project to build thousands of rental apartments, (Stockholmshem, Familjebostäder, Svenska Bostäde)
Stockholmshusen addresses the city’s housing shortage through coordinated long-term planning among city departments and municipal housing companies. The buildings are thoughtfully designed, ranging from 4–8 stories, with high-quality architectural details and bright apartments. They meet high Swedish enviromental building standards, with features like solar panels, green roofs, and access to sustainable transport options. A joint procurement model and collaboration with contractors streamline production, reduce costs, and encourage innovation.
WHAT THE JURY LIKED: With 915 completed units and a target of 3,500 homes by 2026, the project fast-tracked planning from 8 to 4 years. Rents are 20% lower than comparable projects, providing high-quality housing for middle- and lower-income residents within the city. The initiative uses dynamic public procurement, ensuring cost-effectiveness and transparency while enabling innovation. Its collaborative design, replicability, and efficient, multi-stakeholder approach were seen as exemplary and forward-looking.
“It’s fantastic to be one of the winners! This shows that our long-term collaboration with Stockholm’s key players and stakeholders is paying off. It also gives us an extra boost in our important work of building thousands of new homes with affordable rents. Thanks for inviting us to be part of this great event, and for creating an opportunity for us to share our experiences” Bengt Rehn, project coordinator at Stockholmshusen.
“More than a roof, supporting communities of equal opportunities” category
Sostre Cívic – cooperative housing model, Barcelona, Spain (Sostre Cívic)
Sostre Cívic uses a non-speculative “right-of-use” model, offering homes 25–40% cheaper than market rents to low and middle income households groups. The cooperative builds nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), incorporating renewable energy and circular materials for sustainability.
Through long-term agreements on public land (75 years), the housing remains a social asset, protected from speculation. Residents co-govern and self-manage the housing, fostering inclusive communities and strong social cohesion.
WHAT THE JURY LIKED: The financial model is innovative, blending resident contributions, social banking, and EU funding without relying on state subsidies. It ensures full resident participation, with 100% involvement in decision-making and cooperative governance. Sostre Cívic is a replicable, scalable model that promotes long-term affordability and sustainability at local and national levels. The use of public land for cooperative housing is a way to counteract speculative practices, offering a transformative approach for Spain.
“Winning this award is a powerful recognition of the cooperative housing model as a real and scalable alternative, to the speculative market. It reaffirms that housing can be self-managed, affordable and sustainable. For us, this is a step forward in making cooperative housing a key pillar of housing policies across Europe” José Téllez, head of communication at Sostre Cívic.
“Agents of just green transition, leaders of innovation” category
Wientalterrasse, Vienna (WBV-GPA)
The project offers 295 subsidized apartments for diverse groups, including single parents, seniors, and youth in care. The building operates entirely without fossil fuels, using deep geothermal probes, solar absorbers, and wastewater heat recovery to provide heating and cooling. This system helps reduce carbon emissions and keeps energy costs low. Shared spaces such as a generation centre, community terraces, and an on-site repair workshop support intergenerational living, neighbours’ interaction, and a circular economy mindset.
WHAT THE JURY LIKED: The project combines affordability, sustainability, and social inclusion in and exemplary way. With its fossil-free energy concept and focus on diverse resident needs, the project demonstrates how housing can address climate goals while fostering the community. The low rents, thoughtful communal facilities, and replicable design set a strong example for future developments.
“Winning the European Responsible Housing Award means far more to our company as a non-profit housing provider than simply receiving a prize – it is a strong European signal affirming the societal relevance of housing for the common good. Our model of affordable, ecological, and community-oriented living is gaining international recognition. The award reinforces our commitment to combining architecture with values and to creating spaces that strengthen and build communities.
Because those who take responsibility in housing don’t just construct buildings – they shape the future” KommR. Mag. Michael Gehbauer, Managing Director at WBV-GPA.
“Building strategic alliances, fostering community participation” category
Gestor Entrada (Entrance Manager, Matosinhos, Portugal (MatosinhosHabit)
The project engages residents in managing shared spaces within public housing complexes. Through elections, training, and structured communication, residents take on active roles to improve safety, community ties, and quality of life. Active in 33 housing complexes, the initiative fosters co-responsibility, builds skills, and enhances collaboration between residents and housing services.
WHAT THE JURY LIKED: The jury valued the project’s strong emphasis on communication, resident empowerment, and practical training. By involving residents in both day-to-day management and local housing governance, it builds trust and community ownership. It’s a thoughtful, replicable model that delivers clear social impact.
“Winning the European Responsible Housing Awards is a great honor. It is a recognition of our commitment to sustainability, community well-being, and innovative housing solutions. This Award encourages us to keep improving and setting higher standards” Vera Santos, director of the Social Intervention department at MatosinhosHabit.
“Going the extra mile for safe and sound living” category
Health Housing: A New Generation of Social Housing for Well-being, Voisins‐le‐Bretonneux, France (Antin Résidences)
“Les Allées du Lac” is the first Île-de-France Project matching the French high health standards. Blending inclusive design, wellness features, and intergenerational community spaces, the residence enhances tenant well-being through thoughtful architecture and on-site health services.
WHAT THE JURY LIKED: The jury appreciated the holistic approach combining air quality, accessibility, and green design with real health services and community-building. They highlighted Antin Résidences’ view of tenants as whole people, with emotional, physical, and social needs, and highlighted the model’s innovation, replicability, and alignment with environmental and social sustainability.
“We are delighted to be amongst the 2025 winners of the Responsible Housing Awards.
This project reflects the core belief shared by our groups: housing is a key factor in residents’ well-being. This award marks the culmination of an ambitious, collective effort spanning several years. We are both proud and grateful — thank you for your support!” Hélène Alexandre, project manager of Antin Résidences health department.
The ERHIN Awards are a great opportunity to share and highlight good practices in the affordable housing sector. The number and the quality of the projects submitted were exemplary and we want to thank everybody who submitted their application and the entire jury, chaired by Barbara Steenbergen, for the amazing work done in evaluating them.
Participating in the jury at the awards, European Investment Bank (EIB) representative Andrea Colantonio said: “The European Responsible Housing Awards provide a good opportunity to learn about and meet organisations driving impactful housing solutions across Europe. The quality and creative angle of the projects presented were inspiring and am looking forward to sharing the EIB group’s perspective on affordable, energy efficient and innovative housing at the International Social Housing Festival this week”.
Cristian Tabacaru, Director of the Loans & Social Development Directorate, Council od Europe Developpement Bank (CEB): “The CEB is proud to see the European Responsible Housing Awards recognise its partner Sostre Civic, highlighting the importance of their innovative and impactful work on social and affordable housing.
CEB’s €31 million loan to Sostre Civic in 2024 reflects the bank’s commitment to addressing this essential social issue at a time when housing markets across Europe are increasingly at risk of pricing out the most vulnerable. As Europe’s social development bank, we welcome the opportunity to support efforts that accelerate access to affordable and inclusive housing for all.”
“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 of Housing Europe.
Matthew Baldwin, head of the Housing Task Force at the European Commission: “Delighted to join the latest edition of the European Responsible Housing Awards as it’s addressing a number of key aspects that the taskforce will also be looking at in the “European Affordable Housing Plan”, such as construction strategy: streamlining production, looking at standards, focusing on inclusion as well as affordability and sustainability; financing: facilitating better access to social housing providers and Social innovation: tenant democracy, de-institutionalisation.
So much for us to learn from all the finalists, we will do our best to disseminate the information about the ERHIN award winners and to spread the news about these innovative ideas in public interest housing!”.
“Everyone’s a winner, each project goes beyond bricks and mortar, championing affordability, security of tenure, tenant co-decision, fair and just climate transition and good governance in the housing sector” – Barbara Steenbergen, chair of the ERHIN Jury, member of the IUT Executive Committee and head of the EU liaison office.
Please find all the information about the European Responsible Housing Awards, its winners and finalists in the Handbook 2025. We invite you to read it and get inspired by these amazing projects and even participate in the next edition of the awards at www.responsiblehousing.eu
Let´s continue working together for more affordable, inclusive and sustainable housing!
For more info:
Barbara Steenbergen, barbara.steenbergen@iut.nu
Daniele Zurigo, brussels@iut.nu
Andreea Nacu, andreea.nacu@housingeurope.eu.
And many thanks to this year’s sponsors:
Gold – Council of Europe Development Bank.
Silver: European Investment Bank
Feel free to check out the European Responsible Housing Initiative website www.responsiblehousing.eu for more updates.
