This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission adopts Affordable Housing Act; new rules on local housing measures; €1.1m EGF support proposed for Finnish dismissed workers.
September 07, 2026 to September 13, 2026
Commission adopts Affordable Housing Act; new rules on local housing measures; €1.1m EGF support proposed for Finnish dismissed workers.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On September 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions; Date of next meetings.
European Commission
Commission adopts Affordable Housing Act to address housing crisis
On 8 September, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera and Commissioner Dan Jørgensen presented the Affordable Housing Act, providing a legal framework to support local and national authorities in addressing the lack of affordable housing across the EU. The Act introduces technical criteria to define areas under housing stress and gives municipalities legal certainty to implement targeted measures, including those regulating short-term rentals and second homes, when justified and proportionate. The framework is not prescriptive but enables authorities to act according to national law and local needs. The Act is accompanied by a Recommendation focused on increasing housing supply in stressed areas, touching on planning, renovation, and investment. The initiative delivers on a State of the Union pledge from President Ursula von der Leyen and is positioned as the first EU-level legal act on housing.
Commission proposes €1.1 million EGF support for dismissed paper industry workers in Finland
On 7 September, the European Commission proposed mobilising €1.1 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for Displaced Workers to assist 351 workers dismissed by Metsä Group, Stora Enso, UPM Communication Papers, and SAPPI in Finland. The proposal, following job losses linked to digitalisation and disruptions from the closure of the Russian border, will support affected workers through measures such as job-search assistance, career counselling, training, and financial support for business start-ups. The total package amounts to €1.8 million, with 60% covered by the EGF and 40% by local Finnish employment regions. The Council and Parliament must approve the proposal before disbursement.
Commission presents Affordable Housing Act proposal to tackle housing affordability and availability
On 8 September, the Commission proposed the Affordable Housing Act, establishing a European framework for authorities to address housing affordability and availability, particularly in high-pressure areas such as major cities and tourist destinations. The Act provides legal certainty for measures taken at local or national level to restrict non-primary residential uses, such as short-term rentals or second homes, provided they are necessary and proportionate. The proposal is accompanied by a Recommendation to support authorities in increasing housing supply, through accelerated planning, renovation, and targeted investment. The Act forms a central component of the European Affordable Housing Plan and responds to concerns raised by more than half of EU urban residents regarding housing costs.
Commission publishes Q&A on Affordable Housing Act clarifying legal framework and local authority powers
On 8 September, the European Commission issued a detailed Q&A document on the Affordable Housing Act to clarify its scope and implications. The document explains that the Act does not create new EU competences in housing policy but sets a common European methodology for identifying areas under housing stress and assessing targeted local measures. The Act requires that restrictions, such as those on short-term rentals or second homes, be based on evidence, limited in duration, and regularly reviewed. The accompanying Recommendation encourages authorities to prepare Housing Acceleration Plans to increase supply, using available EU and national instruments. Existing local measures remain valid, but authorities may voluntarily align them with the new framework.
EU Council
Upcoming ECOFIN Council to convene on 18 September
The next informal meeting of economic and financial affairs ministers (ECOFIN) is scheduled for 18 September 2026.
What We're Reading This Week
- World Suicide Prevention Day: what do the latest EU and Spanish figures show?: Recent data reveals concerning trends in suicide rates across the EU and Spain, highlighting urgent needs for improved prevention efforts.
- World Suicide Prevention Day: what do latest EU and Spain data show: Recent data reveal trends and challenges in suicide rates across the EU and Spain, highlighting urgent mental health priorities.
