The European Commission presented a proposal for an "Affordable Housing Act" that aims to give legal cover to governments and local authorities to restrict short-term rentals and the occupation of empty homes. This initiative comes as a response to the growing challenges in accessing housing across Europe.
The proposal paves the way for the implementation of stricter measures by local authorities to combat rising housing prices. The European Commissioner for Housing acknowledged, in an interview with Expresso, that this law does not resolve the entirety of the housing problem, but expressed confidence in its potential to contribute to falling prices.
Among the objectives of the new legislation is also combating real estate speculation, a problem that has affected various European cities. The initiative represents a coordinated effort at the European Union level to face a housing crisis that affects citizens in several Member States.
