The challenge of housing, especially its scarcity, significantly fuels populist movements.
Addressing substantial housing shortages is vital for diminishing support for extremist right-wing factions.
It’s an oversimplification to brand voters backing populist parties as uninformed and misled.
Many people genuinely believe that centrist politicians in Europe have failed to enhance living standards and working conditions adequately.
A targeted initiative to alleviate the housing crisis could swiftly unveil the impracticality of populists’ proposed solutions to the issues voters face.
Resolving housing shortages would encourage sustainable growth and combat demographic decline by making affordable housing accessible to young couples, which poses a significant long-term threat to Europe.
The fact that around one-third of Europeans are impacted by the housing crisis sheds light on the increasing political discontent.
According to the Housing Europe Observatory, a Brussels-based NGO, 82 million out of the EU’s 220 million households are ‘overburdened’ by housing costs.
Other analysts estimate that 150 million of the EU’s half-billion residents grapple with housing difficulties.
Showing voters that individuals across Europe are receiving assistance for similar housing concerns could deliver a political message that counters euroscepticism.
A major portion of the issue arises from poor planning. Between 1965 and 2015, Europe’s population grew by an impressive 25%, yet the mid-1960s marked the beginning of a decline in post-war construction.
Increasing divorce rates have raised the demand for single-parent households, while longer life expectancies mean more elderly individuals are staying in larger family homes.
Some claim that Europe is “overcrowded,” which limits new construction due to land shortages.
While it’s true that housing development hasn’t kept pace with the expansion of offices and factories, the root cause is primarily poor planning.
Even in the relatively congested UK, residential areas (including gardens) take up only 5% of the total land.
A variety of sensible policies that could be quickly rolled out would greatly benefit from EU support and branding.
Demonstrating to voters that people across Europe are receiving help with common housing issues would articulate a political message that challenges euroscepticism.
Among the various solutions, the most immediate and simplest isn’t merely building more homes.
Rather, it involves encouraging older residents to move to more appropriate accommodations, freeing up larger family homes for conversion into smaller units.
Tackling Europe’s housing crises is essential for economic revitalization and enhanced productivity.
For many individuals over 60, selling a house and moving is daunting; they represent a quarter of Europe’s population, which is expected to rise to a third in the next decade.
Complex tax codes and environmental regulations can dissuade them, alongside the larger challenge of finding and transitioning to a new home.
It’s not surprising that many older individuals opt to stay put.
A system is needed where motivated young teams, organized by local authorities, focus on finding, advising, and assisting older individuals with relocation.
This initiative should align with a reassessment of care for the swiftly growing elderly population, including distinguishing expensive geriatric services from general healthcare.
Younger “Task Forces” could take on their seniors’ housing challenges, making a real difference.
As problem-solvers, they should be well-compensated and provided with appealing working conditions to compete effectively in a labor market that often feels inhospitable to graduates.
Housing initiatives at both national and regional levels demand significant tax reforms.
Historically, governments have regarded property taxes as an easy revenue source; however, this has negatively impacted homeownership and created larger political issues.
Simplifying the intricate layers of tax law built up over time—such as those affecting land under corporate buildings—could generate new funds for affordable housing.
Property markets across the EU vary greatly, with rentals being more common in certain countries.
Nonetheless, they all share the common concern of voter frustration over increasing costs, with younger individuals feeling excluded from the property market for the foreseeable future.
Addressing Europe’s housing crises is crucial for invigorating the economy and boosting productivity.
Facilitating job relocations and moving individuals closer to job opportunities is essential for developing neglected areas and cities that are ill-suited for the digital age.
Unfortunately, housing policies have historically been deprioritized across the EU.
Creating more suitable homes for aging populations should be a local concern.
This shouldn’t prevent the establishment of an EU ‘blueprint’ that defines a cohesive housing strategy for Europe.
A coordinated approach would benefit both Brussels and the 27 member states while challenging populist narratives.
*The views expressed in this Frankly Speaking op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Friends of Europe.
*This article was first published on the Friends of Europe website and is reproduced with permission.
*The views expressed by the author of this article, Giles Merritt, do not necessarily reflect those of The Bulrushes.
