
The European Commission, through its first commissioner for housing, Dan Jørgensen, will propose regulations to govern short-term rentals in response to the affordable housing crisis in the EU. Jørgensen emphasized that the housing issue must be taken seriously to prevent gains for anti-EU populists. The publication of the EU plan for affordable housing has been expedited, considering the urgency of the social crisis. Short-term rentals have rapidly increased, contributing to rising rents and transforming residential neighborhoods into tourist areas. Housing prices have significantly increased, and nearly 9% of the EU population spends 40% or more of their income on housing.
Jørgensen mentioned that the plan will also address the issue of housing financialization, which affects their affordability. The Commission is also considering the protection of tenants' rights, as well as relaxing state aid rules to support the development of affordable housing.