In response to a growing regional crisis, the European Commission launched its first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan in December 2025 to increase housing supply and address short-term rentals. Current data reveals massive disparities in state support, with per-person housing benefits ranging from nearly zero in Bulgaria to over €750 in Ireland. While the EU average for housing-related social protection stands at 1.35% of total social spending in 2024, northern nations like Finland and Germany allocate significantly more than southern economies like Italy and Spain.
Date: February 20, 2026. Source: euronews.com