EU adopts recommendation to tackle homelessness
The Council of the European Union announced on 19 October 2026 that it had adopted a recommendation on housing exclusion and homelessness in Luxembourg. The non-binding framework combines prevention of housing loss with access to stable accommodation.
The text favours early identification of households at risk, assistance with debts and evictions, and simpler access to social services. It also encourages an increased supply of social and affordable housing.
2EU, reporting on the meeting and statements by Irish Housing Minister James Browne, stresses that the recommendation does not automatically provide housing or funding. It offers guidance for national policies, whose implementation will need to be monitored.
According to the Council, member states are encouraged to inform the Commission every five years about the effectiveness of their strategies. Adoption therefore does not yet establish a reduction in homelessness.