On 16 December, the European Commission has adopted its Housing Package with the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan. The communication rightly underscores the relation between the energy efficiency, resilience and affordability of housing.
Originally expected in the first quarter of 2026, the European Affordable Housing Plan was brought forward as part of the Commission’s decision to accelerate action in response to the growing housing crisis. The Communication was published alongside the Strategy for Housing Construction, the revision of State aid rules for housing, and a Communication on the New European Bauhaus.
The European Affordable Housing Plan combines measures at the EU level and recommendations to Member States in order to boost supply, mobilise investment, enable immediate support while driving reforms and support the most affected.
As part of the 10 actions proposed in the Plan, Glass for Europe particularly welcomes the focus on:
- Strengthening productivity, capacity and innovation of the construction industry
- Combining affordability, sustainability and quality in housing
- Mobilising additional public and private investment
- Driving forward Member States’ structural reforms
High-efficiency glazing is essential to lowering energy demand, improving comfort and resilience, reducing household bills and enhancing long-term value. Glass for Europe therefore stands ready to further support policymakers and Member States in the development and implementation of the measures set out in the European Affordable Housing Plan.
Glass for Europe’s full full press release is available here.