Search Results

As housing finally rises on the EU’s political agenda, one question remains largely unanswered: where do Europe’s most marginalised communities – especially Roma – fit into the European affordable housing agenda?

For decades, housing sat at the margins of EU policy, constrained by Treaty limits and fragmented national competences. That era is ending. Today, housing affordability, availability, and adequacy are discussed at the highest political levels, with new initiatives, task forces, and funding debates underway. This is a welcome shift, but it also creates a responsibility: when the EU sets the direction, it must ensure no one is left behind. At present, Roma housing risks being exactly that: left behind.

This year, employees of Georg Fischer in Loosdorf, Austria, will once again lace up their walking shoes for a cause that reaches far beyond the trail ahead of them. On 11 June 2026, as part of the global GF Walk for Water 2026 initiative, colleagues, partners, and supporters will come together in a powerful expression of solidarity — raising awareness and funds to help families gain access to something many of us take for granted every day: safe water, sanitation, and a healthy place to call home.

Disclaimer - An article written by ArcelorMittal Construction. All opinions in this article reflect the views of the author(s), not Habitat for Humanity International. October 2024

ArcelorMittal Construction, as part of the ArcelorMittal Group, is the leading global provider of innovative steel building systems and solutions. We play a key role in delivering environmentally conscious buildings that benefit both people and the planet.

What if we could tackle Europe’s housing crisis, create millions of green jobs, and fight climate change—all at the same time? That’s the bold vision behind the Just BE Manifesto, where “Just BE” stands for a Just and Resilient Built Environment. Officially titled Practical Policies for a Just and Resilient Built Environment, this powerful call to action was launched in September 2024. It represents a collaborative effort by a coalition of civil society organizations, NGOs, trade unions, local governments, and business representatives, facilitated by the Laudes Foundation.

The full-scale war which started in February 2022 has left scars on Ukraine, not only on the land but in the hearts of millions. Streets once filled with the laughter of children now stand in silence, overshadowed by the rubble of destroyed homes. What was once a personal tragedy for some has become a national housing crisis – the largest since Ukraine’s independence – with millions of people displaced and forced to seek shelter in overcrowded apartments or temporary accommodation, often relying on the generosity of strangers.

The housing crisis and environmental sustainability are two of the most pressing challenges of our time. But what if we could address both simultaneously? That’s the bold vision behind Empty Spaces to Homes project, an innovative initiative launched in January 2024. Led by Habitat for Humanity International and funded by the Laudes Foundation, this initiative is transforming vacant and underutilized spaces in Poland, Great Briatin, Hungary, and Croatia into affordable, energy-efficient homes.

Croatia is facing a paradox: while housing costs are rising and many young people are locked out of the rental and ownership markets, nearly a third of all homes meant for permanent residence sit empty. This contrast lies at the heart of a new research report on the country’s housing landscape—one that uncovers not just the challenges, but the untapped opportunities for creating more inclusive, sustainable communities.

Hungary’s housing landscape presents a striking contradiction. Despite a growing number of dwellings—over 4.5 million—more than 570,000 stand vacant, while nearly 3 million people struggle with housing poverty. At the same time, the country’s population continues to shrink, creating a disconnect between where homes exist and where they’re needed most. A new research study from Habitat for Humanity Hungary takes a deep dive into this complex picture, offering an eye-opening look at how a more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable housing future might be built—quite literally—out of empty spaces.

On Monday, 8 September, renovation works began at 1 Nadarzyńska Street, led by a team of 21 employee volunteers from Australia, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Swapping their work places for paint rollers, the group traded business attire for hard hats and work clothes, following safety training before diving into four days of hands-on renovation.

In July 2025, Habitat for Humanity Ukraine, in partnership with the Center of Local Government Studies, released an in-depth assessment of 300 multi-apartment buildings across Lviv, Zakarpattia, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts in western Ukraine.