EU Home Prices Surge 53% Since 2015, Raising Housing Affordability Concerns

Home prices across the European Union have seen a substantial increase of 53% between 2015 and 2024, a trend that is increasingly threatening the fundamental right to adequate housing and pushing more residents towards homelessness. This alarming rise in property costs is detailed in a report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), as reported by Euro News.

The FRA’s findings indicate that this significant escalation in housing costs is a direct challenge to international human rights law, which recognizes the right to adequate housing. In 2025, an estimated 1.3 million people experienced homelessness within the EU, a figure that is likely to be exacerbated by the ongoing surge in home prices.

Housing Insecurity Deepens

While a majority of EU residents, more than two-thirds, are homeowners, the report highlights a stark disparity in ownership among different income brackets. Less than half of those falling below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold are homeowners, underscoring how rising prices disproportionately affect lower-income populations. This growing housing insecurity leaves an increasing number of individuals and families vulnerable to homelessness and displacement.

A Rights-Based Approach Urged

In response to these findings, the FRA is advocating for a comprehensive, rights-based approach to housing. Such an approach, the agency suggests, is crucial for effectively tackling homelessness, preventing forced evictions, and ensuring robust safeguards for individuals in vulnerable situations. The report emphasizes that without decisive action, the trend of increasing housing insecurity is set to leave even more people at risk.

The implications of these rising costs extend beyond individual homeownership. They impact rental markets, affordability for new buyers, and the overall availability of social and affordable housing options within European cities. This situation presents a complex challenge for policymakers seeking to balance market dynamics with fundamental human rights and social equity.

Key facts

The surge in home prices poses a direct threat to urban planning strategies focused on inclusive growth and housing diversity. It raises questions about the long-term sustainability of mixed-income communities and the ability of cities to accommodate a wide range of residents. For urban planners and policymakers in London and across the UK, this EU trend serves as a critical case study, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked housing market inflation and the importance of proactive policy interventions. Understanding the factors driving these price increases and their impact on vulnerable populations is essential for developing effective strategies to ensure housing affordability and prevent homelessness.

Source: Planetizen News – Home prices in the EU rose 53% since 2015, threatening ‘right to adequate housing’ – https://www.planetizen.com/news/2026/06/137802-home-prices-eu-rose-53-2015-threatening-right-adequate-housing