Make Homes for People, Not for Profit
Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Housing/Urban Policy; the European Commission’s Housing Task Force (DG GROW); and Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Housing (HOUS)
Petition
Homes are disappearing for ordinary Europeans. Families freeze, students struggle, locals are pushed out.
Housing is a human right — not a profit opportunity.
We call on those in power to act now:
- Guarantee decent, affordable housing for all.
- Hold developers and investors accountable for speculation and empty homes.
- Invest in social and public housing that keeps people in their communities.
- Renovate homes for people and planet — with fair rules that keep bills low and residents in place
- Keep rents fair and limit tourist rentals so cities stay homes for people.
Homes are the foundation of our lives and our future.
It’s time to put people before profit — and make housing a right for all.
Why is this important?
Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.
But across Europe, people are being priced out of their cities. [1] People are forced to move farther and farther away from their jobs, their friends, their roots.
It doesn’t have to be this way. And European lawmakers know it.
Last week, EU leaders discussed housing for the first time in history. [2]
We are a part of a movement putting affordable housing at the top of the EU agenda. Together, we refuse to accept a system that puts profit before people. [3]
European lawmakers are now looking at solutions to the housing crisis. [4]
Now is the time to speak up. We can still change the course, if we act now.
Let’s make it impossible for leaders to ignore us: our right to housing is not for sale.
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References
[1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20241014STO24542/the-housing-crisis-in-europe-key-facts-and-eu-action-infographics; https://caneurope.org/content/uploads/2025/10/Briefing-Reclaiming-our-Homes-A-peoples-vision-for-decent-sustainable-and-affordable-housing-in-Europe.pdf
[3] Petition WeMove Europe: Tell the EU: Homes for people not profit; WeMove Europe reportback: We’ve been making serious waves
[4] https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-plan-affordable-housing-social-ursula-von-der-leyen-commission-investment-construction/; https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/proximity-and-social-economy/social-economy-eu/affordable-housing-initiative_en