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European Citizens' Initiative Launched for Housing Rights

A new European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), "Right to Housing! Now and Forever," has begun collecting signatures to advocate for affordable, sustainable, and fair housing across the EU. This initiative aims to prompt the European Commission to address housing accessibility issues.

The ECI requires 1 million signatures from seven EU countries within a year. Launched September 14, 2026, it seeks 1.2 million. It expands on a previous renovation initiative to include financing and access.

Organizers cite an accessibility crisis, with over 1.1 million lacking housing while millions of homes are empty. They note energy inefficiency in old buildings and a slow renovation rate.

The initiative focuses on existing buildings, proposing to regulate rentals/vacancies, convert empty properties, and incentivize renovation.

It also calls for public funds to serve people, not speculation, and reforming fiscal rules for housing investment.

Protection measures include enforceable affordability standards and tenant protection during renovations.

A broad coalition of European organizations supports the initiative, advocating for housing as a fundamental right.

Eligible EU voters can sign online. Recent related news includes an OBEL Award for a Spanish social housing model and affordable housing projects in Spain and the US.

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