The announcement marks a strengthening of cooperation between the EIB Group and the European Commission aimed at promoting housing investments across all Member States of the European Union. Increased financing will focus primarily on innovative solutions, the renovation of existing housing stock, and new construction, with the objective of addressing the ongoing housing crisis.
The President of the EIB Group, Ms Nadia Calviño, stated:
“We are increasing investment in housing to €6 billion in 2026, supporting innovation, renovation, and new construction projects across the European Union.”
The European Commission’s Housing Package
The Commission’s housing package includes:
- the first European Affordable Housing Plan,
- a dedicated strategy for the construction sector, and
- a revision of state aid rules, enabling Member States to better support investments in affordable housing.
The EIB Group will work closely with the European Commission to translate European commitments into concrete projects and tangible investments on the ground.
Key Actions Announced
Among the key initiatives announced are:
Housing TechEU – €400 million:
A new initiative to finance innovative technologies, advanced materials, and modern construction methods, aimed at reducing costs and accelerating housing delivery.
Pan-European Investment Platform:
Developed in cooperation with the European Commission and national promotional banks, this platform will connect investors with affordable and sustainable housing projects across Europe.
Leveraging European and national resources:
Close collaboration with Member States, municipalities, housing providers, national promotional banks, and commercial banks to mobilize capital for the housing sector.
Innovative financing instruments:
The combination of EU grants with loans and private capital to strengthen both public and private investment in affordable housing.
Student housing study:
The EIB, in cooperation with the Commission, is exploring ways to improve student housing infrastructure at the European level.
The EIB Vice-President responsible for housing policy, Mr Ioannis Tsakiris, emphasized that the European Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan represents a turning point for European housing policy. The EIB Group, he noted, is fully mobilized to support Member States through financing, technical expertise, and innovation in order to accelerate the delivery of affordable and sustainable housing.
“With innovation, renovation, and new construction as our guiding pillars, we aim to transform this European initiative into millions of new homes for those who need them most,” Mr Tsakiris added.
EIB Affordable Housing Action Plan
The EIB Group has already launched an Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing, targeting financing in excess of €4 billion in 2025 and reaching €6 billion in housing loans by 2026. The plan is structured around three core pillars:
- Innovation, with a focus on new technologies and digital solutions;
- Renovation, aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the existing building stock; and
- New construction, implemented in cooperation with national and local authorities.
Support for Stakeholders and Local Authorities
To facilitate access to financing and technical assistance, the EIB Group has developed the online platform “More homes. Better homes.”, which connects public and private stakeholders with available financing and advisory tools. The platform has been endorsed by the European Commission as a first step toward the creation of the Pan-European Investment Platform.
