European housing leaders gathered in Copenhagen to confront housing affordability and sustainability issues, aiming to shape the EU’s first-ever Affordable Housing Plan. The conference spotlighted Denmark’s public housing model and climate-conscious urban strategies amid a growing housing crisis in Denmark.
EU Ministers and Experts Converge on Housing Crisis
On September 29-30, 2025, Copenhagen hosted a high-level European Union housing conference focused on addressing two of the most pressing issues currently affecting cities across the EU: the unaffordability of urban housing and the environmental impact of the construction sector. Ministers, mayors, urban policy experts, and housing professionals from all EU member states came together to exchange ideas and develop coordinated solutions that balance social equity and climate responsibility. The talks also pointed to the growing housing crisis in Denmark.
A Pressing Challenge Across Europe
Across the EU, access to affordable housing has become an escalating concern. In major metropolitan areas, rapidly rising prices are pushing residents out of city centers, putting a squeeze on middle- and low-income households. Simultaneously, the construction industry contributes nearly 40% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the European Commission. These twin challenges – affordability and sustainability – drove the agenda of this groundbreaking summit.
Copenhagen as a Model for Integration
Copenhagen, a city internationally recognized for sustainable urban planning and inclusive housing policies, served as a living case study for conference attendees. Nearly one in six Danes lives in an “almen bolig,” or nonprofit public housing, a model rooted in citizen cooperation and managed by housing associations. These units are not only rent-controlled but are required to mix incomes and demographics, encouraging social equity and community diversity.
During the conference, participants went on site visits to the neighborhoods of Nordhavn and Refshaleøen. There, they observed how the Danish capital is redesigning former industrial zones into housing developments that combine green infrastructure, economic diversity, and accessible transportation.
Preparing for the EU’s Affordable Housing Plan
The conference also served as a critical policy forum for shaping upcoming EU-wide legislation. Insights and proposals from the event will inform the European Commission’s forthcoming “Affordable Housing Plan,” expected to be released later in 2025. This will be the EU’s first unified housing strategy aimed at increasing the availability of sustainable and realistically priced homes across member states.
Denmark, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, is leading the negotiation process for the plan’s content. Its strong tradition of social housing and sustainable building practices – along with growing concerns over the housing crisis in Denmark – places it in a strategic position to influence future policy frameworks.
Local Urgency and Shared Responsibility
The urgency of the housing crisis in Denmark was echoed by Danish policymakers and local officials. In cities like Copenhagen, skyrocketing rental prices risk displacing longtime residents and hollowing out urban communities. The Danish government emphasized that solutions will only succeed if all actors – national governments, municipal leaders, housing developers, and financiers – share accountability.
Among the key themes discussed were regulatory structures for nonprofit housing, the use of public land for affordable housing construction, mandatory sustainability standards in new developments, and subsidies aimed at supporting low-income households without distorting wider housing markets.
Cross-European Cooperation Moving Forward
This conference marked a significant step toward coordinated EU action on what has historically been considered a local and national issue. By fostering dialogue among policymakers and showcasing successful models like Denmark’s, the meeting laid a foundation for shared standards and innovation across member states.
With over 30 EU ministers and high-ranking officials present, and nearly 200 urban development experts participating, the dialogue from Copenhagen is set to shape both legislative direction and on-the-ground housing practices for years to come. The final version of the European Affordable Housing Plan is expected to go into development in Q4 of 2025.
For more information or to access the published program from the event, visit the Social and Housing Ministry of Denmark’s official website.
