On 24 March 2025, EBC took part in the Joint European Parliament–European Commission Conference on Affordable Housing, which launched a public debate on tackling Europe’s housing crisis.
The event featured European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, and MEP Irene Tinagli, Chair of the EP special Committee on housing, highlighting the both institutions ‘’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis. Their engagement reinforced the need for a collaborative approach involving policymakers, industry representatives, and local authorities.
Commissioner Jørgensen acknowledged that achieving both affordability and sustainability requires a fair balance between regulatory demands and the realities of the energy. housing and construction sectors..
At the invitation of the EC Housing Task Force, EBC represented the construction sector in a key panel discussion on EU-level solutions for affordable and sustainable housing. This highlights the crucial role of construction SMEs in delivering quality housing across Europe.
Speaking at the session “What are the key areas to address at EU level?”, EBC President Philip Van Nieuwenhuizen emphasized the need for:
Additionally, EBC considers that modular construction and digital tools should be SME-friendly, not just focused on large-scale industrial solutions. While keeping in mind workforce and skills development, addressing labour shortages through targeted training and apprenticeships is crucial.
When asked about out-of-the box solutions, he hinted to digitalisation, including artificial intelligence, as an accelerator for building permitting by public authorities. He also suggested a better consideration of value instead of a focus on costs and price, to convince more quality investment.
EBC remains committed to engaging with EU institutions, national governments, and industry stakeholders to ensure that SMEs are integral to Europe’s housing policies. EBC will continue advocating for practical solutions that ensure small construction companies remain at the heart of Europe’s housing strategy.
The discussions at this conference underscored the need for an extensive collaborative approach to EU housing strategies. EBC will actively follow up on policy developments to ensure that the concerns and contributions of construction SMEs are reflected in future EU decisions.
For more information about the conference, click here.
