EESC urges modern construction techniques to tackle EU housing affordability crisis
The European Economic and Social Committee issued an opinion urging the EU to adopt modern construction methods, linking them to lower housing costs and better worker protections.
During its September session, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted an opinion titled “Making Housing Affordable - Increasing Modern Methods of Construction and Lowering Costs.” The document asserts that modern construction approaches—such as modular and prefabricated building—can lower construction expenses, accelerate timelines and cut carbon footprints, but only if they are paired with strong quality controls, respect for workers’ rights and broader public-interest policies.
Prepared by John Comer and Thomas Kattnig at the request of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the opinion urges the EU to boost industrial capacity for off-site manufacturing, harmonise regulations and create a central funding mechanism for SMEs. It also points to a housing crisis marked by a 60.5% rise in house prices since 2013 and a 28.8% increase in rents, which have pushed the average housing cost burden to 8.2% in 2024. The EESC calls on Member States, the European Commission, the Housing Alliance and other stakeholders to cooperate on standardisation, certification and cross-border collaboration to make modern methods a pillar of affordable housing.
