The European Commission launched, on Wednesday 1 July and running until 30 September, a call for evidence for feedback on measures aimed at simplifying rules affecting the supply and affordability of housing, in order to feed into the preparation of a legislative simplification package in the housing sector, according to a press release.
More specifically, this is to prepare a draft directive on legislative simplification in the field of construction, which the Commission plans to adopt in the second quarter of 2027.
“Based on a comprehensive mapping of relevant EU legislation and initiatives and their combined impact on housing supply and affordability, the package will address regulatory simplification opportunities for the housing sector”, the Commission explains.
Housing supply is subject to many strict rules set at European, national, regional and local level. “These rules take many forms, including building codes, land use, land governance and zoning policies, procurement and local taxes. However, they too often lead to administrative complexity and this results in unnecessary costs and delays that restrict the supply of housing where it is most needed”.
The length and outcome of the permit-granting process (including appeal processes) can also be unpredictable, which may increase costs.
In September, the Commission is also due to propose an Affordable Housing Act, which will look at short-term and tourist rentals and could take the form of a regulation.
Link to the call for evidence: https://aeur.eu/f/mnw (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)