{
  "id": 10221617,
  "title": "European cities seek ways of boosting affordable housing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/european-cities-seek-ways-of-boosting-affordable-housing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T13:47:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/european-cities-seek-ways-of-boosting-affordable-housing/a-79438939?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Europe's most populous city, Berlin, the housing market has become so competitive that residents are considering a historic experiment. After voting in a referendum five years ago to require the Senate to draft a law expropriating properties owned by large real estate companies, the Senate did not act. However, the socialist Left Party, which campaigned on this issue, recently won the largest share of the vote in Berlin's elections. It remains to be seen whether the party can fulfill its promises.\n\nThe severity of the housing crisis is evident across Europe. In Vienna, the city owns approximately 220,000 municipal apartments and 200,000 subsidized dwellings, housing over 60% of its residents. This model has helped stabilize the city's housing market and keep prices on the private market in check. Other European cities are exploring similar solutions.\n\nIn Basel, about 40% of cooperative housing units are built on public land. Barcelona and Lisbon have also adopted this model. In Paris, the French capital has a first right of refusal in gentrifying neighborhoods to ensure 30% of housing is affordable by 2035. The government and regional authorities have identified 61 projects to convert empty office buildings into housing, creating up to 8,200 homes.\n\nIn Prague, the Czech capital has built 660 new energy-efficient apartments for public-sector employees, keeping rents 20% below market rates. In Dublin, the Irish capital has introduced a Cost Rental Housing program for those earning between €66,000 and €75,000 annually. Non-profits or public agencies lease out apartments at below-market rates, with an average of almost 30% reduction.\n\nCities across Europe are finding innovative ways to address the housing crisis, from expropriation and public land leasing to targeted programs for public-sector employees and low-income households.",
  "summary": "In many major urban centers of Europe, the housing shortage has become an explosive social issue. DW looks into various models that have been put in place across the continent.",
  "key_points": [
    "Berlin residents consider historic property expropriation after failed Senate action.",
    "Vienna model: 60% of residents housed in municipal or subsidized apartments.",
    "Paris aims for 30% affordable housing by 2035 through government projects."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "European cities seek ways of boosting affordable housing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/european-cities-seek-ways-of-boosting-affordable-housing-10222533",
        "published": "2026-09-27T13:47:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}