How to Improve Access to Affordable Housing in Europe

Building more subsidized housing for low-income households is the a top priority among Europeans, ranked in the top three by 46% of respondents, according to a Statista survey of 8,000 participants across eight European countries. Stimulating wage growth and boosting household incomes sits just behind at 45%, while lower taxes for first-home buyers (42%) and reducing planning and approval barriers to build more housing (40%) complete the top four. Subsidizing rent for low-income households also features, cited by 34%.

Support falls sharply further down the list. Curbing speculative investment in housing reaches 28%, while restricting short-term rentals and restricting secondary or vacation homes in high-demand areas each attract 22%. Encouraging investments in energy efficiency and renovations trails at 20%, which is the lowest of any option, despite its prominence in European policy debates.