Committees · Housing Crisis in the European Union

HOUS

1 ESN seat

Housing Crisis in the European Union.

The Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union examines the causes of housing shortages and declining affordability and proposes solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing.

ESN seats

Members total

Subcommittees

2024–29

10th term

Mandate & Tasks

What This Committee Handles.

Its work covers housing supply and construction, financing, planning and permitting, energy performance, homelessness, demographic and regional pressures, the use of EU funds and the development and implementation of the European Affordable Housing Plan. It works in consultation with Parliament’s standing committees in areas that fall within their respective competences.

Key facts · HOUS

Full name

Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union

Size

33 members

ESN seats

1 of 33

Subcommittees

Meeting cycle

Legal basis

ESN in HOUS

The committee's term of office was extended by six months, until January 2027.

— ESN Committee Booklet · Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union

Remit

Four Policy Areas of the Committee.

ESN Position

Our Line in the Committee.

The Group’s priorities in this committee, as set out in the ESN Committee Booklet.

Housing Policy Primarily a National Responsibility

ESN considers housing policy to be primarily a national, regional and local responsibility.

Increase Housing Supply, Protect Property

It supports measures that increase housing supply, reduce unnecessary regulatory and administrative barriers, protect private property and strengthen legal certainty.

Opposing One-Size-Fits-All EU Rules

ESN opposes one-size-fits-all EU rules, further centralisation and the diversion of existing EU funds from their Treaty-based purposes.

Targeted, Proportionate European Cooperation

European cooperation should remain targeted, proportionate and respectful of different national housing markets.

ESN Members in HOUS

One Seat in This Committee.

The ESN seat in HOUS is held by the Members listed below. The named assignment is updated at the start of each session period.

Full Member

Irmhild BOẞDORF

Substitute Member

Volker SCHNURRBUSCH

As of 2026 · Full list with named assignments available on request from the secretariat

Track record

Key Achievements.

Irmhild Boßdorf served as ESN shadow rapporteur on Parliament’s report on the housing crisis. Through the report and related committee work, ESN emphasised that housing policy remains primarily a competence of the Member States and argued for subsidiarity, legal certainty for owners and tenants, faster and simpler permitting, and solutions adapted to national, regional and local conditions. ESN also challenged one-size-fits-all EU solutions and opposed the creation of new centralised financing and governance structures that could further limit national flexibility.

ESN in action

Served as shadow rapporteur on Parliament's report on the housing crisis.

Defended national, regional and local competence in housing policy.

Promoted legal certainty, protection of private property and simpler permitting.

Outlook

Looking Ahead.

Following Parliament’s resolution of 10 March 2026, the committee’s term of office was extended by six months, until January 2027. Its work will include monitoring implementation of the resolution and examining housing simplification, State aid rules for social and affordable housing, housing finance, short-term rentals, financialisation and preparations for the 2026 EU Housing Summit. ESN will continue to defend subsidiarity, legal certainty, private property and national flexibility.

Documents

From the Parliament.

Studies, briefings and meeting documents of this committee, published by the European Parliament.

Draft Report · 2025

Housing crisis in the European Union with the aim of proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing

Related committees

Also of Interest.

Three closely related committees in which the ESN Group is represented.

FISC

Tax Matters

The Subcommittee on Tax Matters focuses on EU tax policy, tax transparency, corporate taxation and the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion.

EMPL

Employment and Social Affairs

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs is responsible for employment and social policy.

BUDG

Budgets

The Committee on Budgets is responsible for establishing the European Union's annual budget and shaping the Multiannual Financial Framework.