EuroHealthNet responds to EU consultation on fighting housing exclusion

Housing exclusion and homelessness are some of the most severe forms of poverty and social exclusion, with profound consequences for health, well-being and life expectancy. They are complex and dynamic challenges caused by an interplay of interrelated drivers, including structural and institutional factors, together with individual vulnerabilities.

The European Affordable Housing Plan, adopted by the European Commission in December 2025, announced that the Commission will issue a proposal for a Council Recommendation on fighting housing exclusion to: (i) support vulnerable people in precarious housing situations, and (ii) prevent and address homelessness. With this consultation, the European Commission welcomes input for the development of the Council Recommendation.

Responding to the call for evidence, EuroHealthNet welcomes the initiative and calls on the European Commission to reflect the following elements in its proposal for a Council Recommendation:

• Recognise and support the access to affordable, adequate, and healthy housing as essential for health and social inclusion
• Strengthen prevention, including action on housing insecurity, evictions, and energy poverty
• Promote housing-led and Housing First approaches
• Improve housing quality, energy efficiency, and healthy living environments.