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EU Confidential

Summer special: ‘Rent is too damn high!’ Europe’s growing housing crisis

Aug 9, 2024
Aitor Hernández-Morales, a prominent political journalist, joins Sorcha Edwards, secretary general of Housing Europe, to tackle Europe's soaring housing crisis. They delve into the dire realities of rising rents and the scarcity of affordable housing across the EU. The duo discusses the political ramifications, including far-right parties exploiting housing woes for electoral gains. Personal stories from affected citizens highlight the urgency for solutions, while they explore potential EU interventions amidst a backdrop of evolving political landscapes.
42:25

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable housing have mobilized protests across Europe, highlighting citizens' frustration and precarious living situations.
  • The crisis has become a political focal point, with far-right parties exploiting public fears, while a coordinated EU housing strategy is being proposed.

Deep dives

The Widespread Housing Crisis

The housing crisis is a pressing issue impacting Europe, where skyrocketing rents have become a critical concern in multiple countries, including Greece, Portugal, and Germany. Between 2012 and 2022, rents across Europe increased by an average of 20%, with housing prices soaring nearly 50%. This crisis has mobilized protests in cities like Dublin and Lisbon, highlighting the frustration of citizens facing limited affordable housing options. The lack of sufficient social housing has led to people spending an unsustainable portion of their income on rent, leaving many in a precarious living situation.

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