European Citizens' Initiative Launches Campaign for Housing Rights, Urging EU Action on Affordability and Sustainability
A pan-European citizen-led campaign, titled "Right to Housing! Now and Forever," has commenced its signature collection drive, championing the cause of accessible, sustainable, and equitable housing throughout the European Union. This initiative operates as an official European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), a powerful democratic mechanism allowing EU citizens to propose new legislation for the European Commission's consideration. To achieve its goal, the initiative requires the support of at least seven EU citizens residing in different member states and must accumulate one million verified signatures within a year of its official endorsement. Launched on September 14, 2026, the campaign is ambitiously targeting 1.2 million signatures across the EU, a threshold that, if met, would obligate the European Commission to formally address and respond to its proposals. This new endeavor builds upon the foundations of the previous "HouseEurope!" ECI, which, despite focusing solely on building renovation, concluded without success on January 31, 2026. The current, more expansive proposal, spearheaded by a diverse consortium of organizations, not only advocates for renovation but also incorporates crucial financing mechanisms and strategies to guarantee universal housing access.
European Citizens Mobilize for Housing Justice
On September 14, 2026, the "Right to Housing! Now and Forever" campaign was officially launched, inviting European citizens to sign a petition demanding systemic changes to housing policies across the European Union. This initiative seeks to transform the current housing landscape by emphasizing a three-pronged approach: 'Use,' 'Invest,' and 'Protect.' The 'Use' pillar aims to implement regulations for short-term rentals and unoccupied properties, convert vacant buildings—including empty residences and commercial spaces—into much-needed housing, and streamline permitting processes to prioritize renovation projects. The 'Invest' aspect calls for redirecting public funds away from speculative ventures and towards public good, reforming fiscal policies to empower governments to increase housing investments, and establishing a dedicated EU housing fund. Lastly, the 'Protect' component focuses on creating enforceable standards to maintain housing affordability and sustainability, safeguarding residents during EU-funded renovation projects, and forming an EU Housing Agency to ensure transparent governance. This robust framework is a direct response to a perceived crisis not of housing availability, but of accessibility, with a reported 1.1 million people lacking proper housing and over 47 million homes remaining vacant across the EU, alongside a significant proportion of energy-inefficient older buildings. The campaign highlights recent successes in addressing housing shortages, including the recognition of the Balearic Social Housing Model with the 2026 OBEL Award for its innovative strategies in Spain, and new affordable housing developments by Stefano Boeri Architetti in Ibiza and OMA in San Francisco, which provide homes for low-income families and unhoused youth.
The "Right to Housing! Now and Forever" initiative represents a crucial step towards re-evaluating and reshaping housing policies across Europe. By advocating for a human-centered approach that prioritizes accessibility and sustainability over profit, the campaign offers a hopeful vision for a future where housing is recognized and protected as a fundamental human right. Its success could not only alleviate the immediate challenges faced by millions but also set a precedent for more equitable urban development and environmental responsibility within the EU and beyond. The broad coalition supporting this movement underscores a growing collective consciousness about the urgent need for change in how societies perceive and manage one of life's most basic necessities.