Key Findings & Take-Aways of the 9th CSPF meeting (online)
Affordable Housing in our Cities
Affordable
Housing as a Priority
• 79% of European mayors rank affordable and social housing as a top concern.
• Cities are striving to balance quality, energy efficiency, and housing supply.
• Housing costs are rising faster than incomes, intensifying affordability challenges – especially for vulnerable populations.
Vienna
as a Model City
• Over 50% of Vienna’s residents live in municipal or subsidized housing.
• The city’s model combines tenant protections, rent controls, and social mix policies.
• Rent levels are tied to inflation; funding comes from taxes.
• Sustainable mobility, continuous renovation, and community engagement are core principles.
The EU’s Role and Influence
• Though lacking direct competences, the EU may support (in the future) housing through ERDF funds and strategic guidance.
• A “Pan-European Investment Platform” is in development to increase affordable housing supply.
• Ongoing discussions include defining "affordable housing" and enabling locally-driven investment strategies.
Key Findings & Take-Aways of the 9th CSPF meeting (online)
Financing, Innovation, and Partnerships for Future Housing
Funding & Investment Mechanisms
• EU fiscal rules limit public spending, but reforms are being debated.
• Partnerships with private capital are increasingly vital to housing development.
PropTech and Innovation
• Urban Living Labs and PropTech solutions are being explored to improve building and neighborhood sustainability, as well as are testing scalable solutions with the involvement of local property developers, investors, and startups.
• These efforts support ESG goals, decarbonization, and circular economy models.
Public-Private Synergies
• Cross-sector collaboration is key to delivering affordable and sustainable housing.
• Cities seek private investment to scale public initiatives and modernize property markets.
Global Capital & Social Returns
• Residential real estate is attracting global investors seeking stable returns.
• Cities face pressure as private equity enters the affordable housing sector.
• Balancing financial performance with social outcomes is crucial — supported by public subsidies and incentives for energy efficiency.
