The ministers of Employment and Social Affairs of the European Union have given the green light this Monday to a recommendation to strengthen the protection of households at risk of losing their home. The text proposes to implement early warning systems, expedite emergency aid to cover rent payments, and reinforce guarantees against forced evictions, within a broader strategy against homelessness and residential exclusion that includes increasing the supply of social and affordable housing.
The document, approved by the EU Council in a context of growing concern about access to housing on the continent, encourages member states to detect vulnerable households in advance and provide them support before they lose their residence. To this end, it proposes combining debt counseling, mediation services, and financial assistance, while calling for stable solutions for those who are already homeless, although these are guidelines without legally binding character.
In particular, the Twenty-Seven propose to locate the most exposed households early and act preventively to avoid situations of helplessness, with a special focus on those facing economic difficulties to cover their essential expenses. Among the suggested measures are debt counseling, urgent rental assistance, mediation mechanisms, and strengthening guarantees against forced evictions.
The recommendation also expands the concept of residential exclusion beyond those living directly on the street, incorporating people who, even having a roof, are in inadequate or unsafe conditions. It includes, for example, those lacking basic services, facing imminent eviction, or suffering domestic violence.
In this line, the ministers have committed to working so that "no child is deprived of adequate housing" and demand specific attention to minors and young people leaving protection centers or foster families, guaranteeing them accommodation and support to prevent them from being left in a situation of abandonment.
Beyond the shock measures, the Council admits that the lack of social and affordable housing is one of the main brakes to combat residential exclusion in the EU. Therefore, it advises increasing public and private investment both in the construction of new homes and in the rehabilitation of the existing stock.
The text also invites better use of the already available housing and to support alternative housing models, including those managed by non-profit entities, with the aim of expanding access to stable housing for groups with the greatest difficulties.
The Twenty-Seven also defend that policies against homelessness go beyond offering temporary accommodation resources and prioritize access to safe and lasting housing, accompanied by social services tailored to each person's situation.
In this direction, the document suggests simplifying access to social and health benefits through a single-window system that allows homeless individuals to receive guidance and be referred to the services they need, thus avoiding multiple procedures before different administrations.
Additionally, it is recommended to design individual support plans, with the participation of social workers, health professionals, and community organizations, to address the needs of affected individuals in a coordinated manner and promote their recovery and social inclusion.
MORE THAN ONE MILLION HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE EU
In light of the continued rise in housing costs in Europe, where purchase prices have increased by more than 60% between 2013 and 2024 and more than a million people lack a home, according to estimates collected by the Council, the Twenty-Seven urge States to adopt or strengthen their national and regional strategies against residential exclusion, with concrete and measurable goals that allow tracking the evolution of results.
Although it is up to each country to decide how to apply these recommendations, the Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs of the bloc encourage them to report to the European Commission every five years on the progress made. With this information, the community executive will be able to assess the situation across the EU and present a report to the Council five years after the approval of the initiative.