On 4 November 2024, EBC and the partners in the Affordable Housing Initiative European Partnership project, gathered in Brussels to mark the beginning of a major effort to contribute to Europe’s affordable housing needs through sustainable, innovative construction and renovation practices. This EU-backed initiative, co-funded under the Single Market Programme, brings together key stakeholders under the coordination of Housing Europe, including SINTEF, Energy Cities, the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP), and GNE Finance.
The initiative enters in phase two and builds on the foundation laid by the European Affordable Housing Consortium, aiming to boost sustainable construction efforts and increase the visibility and availability of affordable housing. This ambitious project seeks to provide tailored support to 35 exemplary, or as we call them “Lighthouse Districts” across Europe, where innovative and energy-efficient housing solutions will be piloted. The primary step is thus to define the selection criteria and then launch a call for candidates, to identify ambitious projects, with the objective to represent diverse, high-impact renovation and construction projects with a focus on affordability and sustainability.
EBC will bring a specific contribution ensure that projects are structured to allow for smaller contractors to participate, whether through procurement processes, or considerations for heritage conservation and local skills.
By combining complementary expertise between the housing, construction, municipalities and finance sectors, this joint ambition will create a well-rounded support system with hands-on training, knowledge exchange, and financial guidance. Running until September 2026, the team behind the Affordable Housing Initiative partnership will ensure that local stakeholders are empowered with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to boost sustainable and affordable housing transformations in their communities.
 | More information about the project will be available soon. Stay tuned! |