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European Union Housing Policy—An Attempt to Synthesize the Actions Taken

Author

Listed:
  • Ewa Kucharska-Stasiak

    (Department of Investment and Real Estate, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland)

  • Sabina Źróbek

    (Department of Spatial Analysis and Real Estate Market, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Konrad Żelazowski

    (Department of Investment and Real Estate, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland)

Abstract

Adequate housing conditions are an indicator of a decent life, whereas the lack is one of the main reason behind so-called social exclusion. The importance of housing, in ensuring the social safety of citizens, as well as supporting social equity, has been emphasized for decades. Housing, however, also has an important economic dimension. A developed housing sector, in a broad sense guaranteeing the right to housing, is indicated as one of the main conditions for long-term economic growth. The significant role of housing, in deepening integrational processes on the old continent, has also been observed by the European Union. This article is a review and comprises of an attempt to synthesize arguments justifying the need to expand the European Union policy to include housing-related issues. For this purpose, a historical context of the perception of the role of housing in the process of European integration is presented; it characterizes the main phases of incorporating housing into EU policy, as well as indicating the most important areas and instruments of the European Union’s influence on the housing policy of member countries, along with an assessment of their results. The work makes use of the method of the critical analysis of literature, as well as an analysis of EU legal regulations, accounts, and reports referring to the housing sphere. Studies confirm the need for active involvement, aimed at including housing in the scope of EU competencies. The undertaken initiatives of a political, social, economic, environmental, and legal nature are the main forms of recommendations, propositions, and instruments supporting the implementation of common values. Studies conducted to date indicate that the implementation of a single EU housing policy for all member states is neither a simple nor desired task. A more effective solution would unquestionably be seeking out general solutions, addressed to groups of countries functioning under similar conditions. A European housing programme, which holds the status of European law supporting national housing policies, should be such a solution.

Suggested Citation

  • Ewa Kucharska-Stasiak & Sabina Źróbek & Konrad Żelazowski, 2021. "European Union Housing Policy—An Attempt to Synthesize the Actions Taken," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2021:i:1:p:39-:d:707702
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John Doling, 2006. "A European Housing Policy?," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(3), pages 335-349.
    2. Scharpf, Fritz W., 2002. "The European Social Model: Coping with the challenges of diversity," MPIfG Working Paper 02/8, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    3. Fritz W. Scharpf, 2002. "The European Social Model," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(4), pages 645-670, November.
    4. John Doling, 2006. "A European Housing Policy?," European Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 6(3), pages 335-349, December.
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