Accessibility must shape Europe’s Affordable Housing Plan
EASPD has published a new Briefing Paper assessing the European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP).
Housing affordability and accessibility are growing challenges across Europe. For people with disabilities, the lack of accessible and affordable housing options significantly limits choice and increases the risk of institutionalisation and social exclusion. In this context, the European Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan is a timely initiative, but important gaps remain when it comes to fully reinforcing the right to housing and supporting deinstitutionalisation.
The European Affordable Housing Plan is structured around four main pillars:
- Boosting supply of affordable housing
- Mobilising investment, including EU and national funding
- Enabling immediate support while driving structural reforms
- Supporting those most affected by housing shortages
These include a new legislative initiative on short-term rentals under the upcoming Affordable Housing Act, a simplification package to ease implementation, the mobilisation of new investments under both the current and next EU budgets (Multiannual Financial Frameworks, or MFFs), and a revision of State aid rules on Services of General Economic Interest.
EASPD’s assessment
One important step forward is that the plan explicitly acknowledges that the shortage of accessible housing for people with disabilities increases the risk of institutionalisation. This recognition is welcome and reflects long-standing concerns raised by Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) and service providers.
Regarding the revision of State aid rules, EASPD welcomes the Commission’s intention to facilitate public support for affordable housing. At the same time, caution is needed. Stakeholders have raised concerns that expanding support to a broadly defined category of “affordable housing” could divert resources away from social housing and genuinely affordable, state-subsidised solutions. Without clear safeguards, there is a risk of encouraging market-led approaches that fail to reach those most in need.
More fundamentally, the plan does not sufficiently address the concrete conditions needed for people with disabilities to live independently in the community. It makes no reference to supporting the costs of home adaptations, such as accessible bathrooms or ramps, assistive technologies, or home-based support, including personal assistance budgets. The EAHP also overlooks legal and administrative barriers that continue to restrict access to housing, including guardianship arrangements that limit legal capacity and autonomy.
The plan also highlights the role of housing-led approaches, including the Housing First model, which prioritises immediate access to permanent housing combined with flexible, person-centred support. EASPD supports the recognition of such approaches as part of broader efforts to address homelessness, poverty and social exclusion, which people with disabilities face heightened risks of experiencing.
On 6 May, the European Commission also adopted a Proposal for a Council Recommendation on fighting Housing Exclusion, within a broader social package. This proposal includes recommendations for Member States to identify people experiencing or at higher risk of housing exclusion, support people experiencing homelessness, prevent housing exclusion and enhance the access to adequate and secure housing solutions. See our article for more information.