More than half of Europeans

living in cities

say that paying rent or buying a home

is an urgent problem

So, what is the European Union doing

together with Member States

to make housing more available

and more affordable?

Let's take a look!

Spotting housing pressure.

The European Commission proposed

in its Affordable Housing Act

to help national, regional and local authorities

to better assess

whether an area

is under

housing stress.

But what do we mean

by housing stress?

Well, it's an area where housing

has become particularly hard to find

or afford.

Using a common European methodology,

authorities would look at house prices

compared to income

and other relevant local evidence.

If prices are too high

national, regional and local authorities

may take targeted action

to improve the situation.

Tackling the causes of housing stress.

In some areas under housing stress,

homes exist

but are not available for citizens

looking for a long-term place to live.

It's estimated that 20% of houses

and flats across the EU

are unoccupied,

and in some tourist areas,

short-term holiday rentals

may leave fewer homes available

for permanent residents.

In central Madrid, for example,

there are around

40 short-term rentals for every 100 homes

on the long-term rental market.

Where there is clear evidence

that this makes homes

harder to find or afford.

Authorities could take action

Authorities could take action

to address the issue,

like restricting the number of short-term rentals

available in that area.

Authorities would need evidence

to justify any restrictions.

These restrictions would be temporary,

and anyone affected

could challenge them in court.

More homes and faster.

Restrictions alone

cannot solve the housing crisis.

That's why the EU

has made recommendations

to make more housing available,

especially affordable, social

and student housing.

That includes

bringing vacant buildings

back into use

and converting suitable buildings

into homes,

and making it simpler

and quicker

to get planning

and building permits.

Decisions on housing

remain in the hands of national,

regional and local authorities.

But the proposed Affordable Housing Act

gives authorities clearer rules

for taking action

and gives

practical recommendations

to increase the supply of homes.

The aim is simple:

to make more homes

available and affordable

for Europeans.

Want to know more?

Check the description

below for more details

on how areas under housing

pressure could be identified

and what the full recommendation covers.

And let us know in the comments below.

What would make the biggest difference

to housing in your area?