Lobbying by Nadacia Habitat for Humanity International

Nadacia Habitat for Humanity International

NHFHI

MAIN FIELDS OF ACTIVITIES: -Community Impact: building and renovating new houses, housing support services, community development -Sector Impact: market development and policy advocacy -Societal Impact: Awareness Raising and Citizen Mobilization MAIN THEMES OF THE WORK: Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness around the world, and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat builds and rehabilitates homes through volunteer labour and donations of money and materials. Europe and Central Asia: water and sanitation, energy efficiency, advocacy and housing rights, housing micro finance, skills training and financial literacy, housing of vulnerable groups (Roma), alternatives for affordable and social housing, tacacnt building conversion Africa: wash, land rights, community development, slum upgrading, skills training and housing microfinance. NHFHI raises funds to support affordable housing and disaster response initiatives globally.

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ID: 773425322899-55

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

20 Nov 2025 · DEVE

Meeting with Gordan Bosanac (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Nov 2025 · Exchange of views on the HOUS Draft Report on the housing crisis in the European Union

Meeting with Martin Hojsík (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Nov 2025 · Affordable housing

Meeting with Stefan Moser (Head of Unit Energy)

4 Nov 2025 · EP dialogue on tackling energy poverty through renovation in Central and Eastern Europe – Panel on Affordable Housing

Response to Citizens energy package – protecting and empowering consumers in the just transition

11 Sept 2025

On behalf of Habitat for Humanity International and BPIE (Building Performance Institute Europe) we would like to highlight the following: The quality of ones home increasingly determines the quality of one's life. For millions of Europeans, the fate of their home rests in the hands of volunteer-run homeowner associations (HOAs). Born out of the post-soviet privatisation of housing, HOAs bring together everyday people from diverse social strata to do everything from collect maintenance fees and define rules for residents, to make big decisions on renovations, investments, and shared infrastructure. In an age of isolation and polarisation, this community-based model is exceptional: ordinary citizens governing their shared homes. Yet despite their crucial role in enabling renovations, HOAs remain invisible in most national and EU policy and funding frameworks. The EU cannot deliver its Renovation Wave or defeat energy poverty without HOAs. Therefore, the CEP must recognise them as key actors in renovation policy, and back this recognition with tailored financial instruments and technical support. One-Stop Shops, mandated in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, are designed to provide homeowners with technical, legal, and financial assistance. By explicitly extending them to HOAs, they could accompany communities through every phase of renovation, from awareness-raising and mobilisation to procurement, implementation, and quality control. Further, the CEPs strategies should include provisions for state-sponsored grants to ease financial burdens, encourage development banks to offer lower interest rates and longer loan terms, and conduct research to identify which HOAs lack access to loans for tailored financial products. Additionally, streamlining the legal frameworks governing HOAs is crucial for improving financing access and creditworthiness. In the Commissions own words, the CEP is intended to accelerate the transition towards renewables and address energy poverty. It marks a definitive threshold moment to institutionalise the support that is urgently needed. Supporting HOAs is as much about insulating walls and installing heat pumps as reinforcing democratic practice at the most local level. The fight against energy poverty will be won in stairwells and community meetings where residents decide the way forward together, with the weight of policy and finance behind them, not against them. Please find attached our full op-ed.and here: https://ceenergynews.com/voices/from-stairwells-to-policy-the-hidden-force-behind-building-renovations/ Check also: https://www.habitat.org/emea/about/what-we-do/residential-energy-efficiency-households https://www.bpie.eu/

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Meeting with Marcos Ros Sempere (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Sept 2025 · Energy poverty and affordable housing

Response to European Affordable Housing Plan

2 Jun 2025

To tackle the growing housing crisis, HFHI strongly supports the following initiatives to increase the affordable housing stock, combat energy poverty, and empower vulnerable populations. Vacant spaces should be leveraged to create affordable homes (see attached policy brief). Member States must prepare ambitious Social Climate Plans (SCPs), allocating robust funding for renovation of worst performing buildings to address energy poverty. They should also allocate additional funding for direct assistance for low-income households to prevent failure of implementation. SCPs must align with other EU instruments and programs for a cohesive approach. Social safeguards need to be integrated into the guidance on compliance of measures and investments supported by the Social Climate Fund to prevent and mitigate potential negative impacts during implementation. Solid biomass (firewood) should be included in the eligibility criteria for support, as it remains important for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), where it is commonly used by low-income households and in low-performing buildings. Special policy attention and financial support should be directed to owner-occupiers in multi-apartment buildings in CEE, who often belong to the same social group as those in social housing in Western Europe, as recognized by the 2023 recommendations from the EC on energy poverty. Energy efficiency renovation should be used as a tool to reduce inequalities, through integrated energy, social, and housing policies. The availability of funds for the energy transition must be increased through a new Climate and Just Transformation Fund in the post-NextGenerationEU period. A proportional share of the next Multiannual Financial Framework should be earmarked for retrofitting buildings occupied by low-income home-owners living in the worst-performing stock. Policy support must also be directed toward alternative methods of increasing the affordable rental sector. Solutions such as the Social Rental Agency model should be encouraged, as they mobilize privately owned flats into affordable rental housing provision. This is especially important in CEE, where a well-functioning social housing system is missing. Effective governance of the housing stock is essential to retain decent, affordable housing in the long term, with a focus on supporting a range of low-income and vulnerable groups, particularly refugees, female-headed households, and care leavers. The scope of country-specific recommendations under the European Semester mechanism should be broadened to include housing market matters and strategies for social inclusion, with a strong focus on affordable housing for low-income and vulnerable groups. Specific housing-related targets should be introduced in the revised Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights. Strong and independent monitoring and evaluation processes must be integrated into all EU instruments that directly or indirectly support the housing sector, ensuring that they achieve their objectives without negative side effects. Access to funding and financing streams must be simplified and better integrated. A one-stop shop or liaison office should be created at the local level to support authorities, associations, and citizens in navigating the various existing programs, following the model established by the EPBD. A social conditionality criterion should be introduced across all housing-related instruments, with ambitious earmarking for socially responsible renovation across all tenures, including social housing, owner-occupied multi-apartment buildings, and rural single-family homes. More broadly, investment is needed in skills and capacity development within social service providers, homeowners associations, local authorities, and actors in the social and affordable housing sector. https://www.habitat.org/emea/empty-spaces-to-homes https://www.habitat.org/emea/about/what-we-do/residential-energy-efficiency-households

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Meeting with Matthew Baldwin (Deputy Director-General Energy) and European Construction Industry Federation and

2 Jun 2025 · Housing, homelessness, social housing, sustainability, short term rental accommodations, construction

Meeting with Borja Giménez Larraz (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

10 Apr 2025 · Housing crisis in the European Union

Meeting with Lucie Šestáková (Cabinet of Commissioner Jozef Síkela), Natividad Lorenzo (Cabinet of Commissioner Jozef Síkela)

5 Feb 2025 · Housing policy

Meeting with Marcos Ros Sempere (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

5 Feb 2025 · Meeting with Habitat for Humanity

Meeting with Stefan Moser (Head of Unit Energy)

5 Feb 2025 · The European Affordable Housing Plan and the possible contributions from Habitat for Humanity

Response to Assessing the implementation of the Member States' national Roma strategic frameworks

2 Feb 2024

Habitat for Humanity International, as a global housing organization, is focusing in several countries in CEE on the adequate housing of Roma. Therefore this specific input is intended to help the Commission in its upcoming Communication on how improve the housing of the Roma. Desegregation Based on our project experience in Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia and Romania plus our recent research covering 9 countries in the region, we found that a holistic approach is crucial, extending beyond just building or renovating homes. Central to these strategies is the promotion of desegregation, which involves relocating individuals from segregated areas to integrated communities, fostering diversity and inclusivity in neighborhoods. Such integration allows for better access to essential services like education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, and encourages interactions among diverse community members. Essentially, the development of new housing solutions hinges on desegregation, aiming to move away from segregated living spaces and ensuring interventions don't inadvertently maintain or reinforce segregation. Understanding local needs Based on the good practices compiled by a pool of international researchers, effective strategies to tackle housing deprivation among Roma communities vary widely due to the complexity of the issue. Successful approaches are not easily replicable, as each requires a nuanced understanding of specific local challenges. However, research indicates that sustainable housing programs share certain core elements, including a deep understanding of local needs, active community involvement, and the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. Key to these programs is the holistic approach that extends beyond the physical construction or renovation of homes. It incorporates strategies for integration, actively combating segregation by encouraging diversity within neighborhoods. This integration is crucial for providing access to essential services like education, healthcare, and employment, which are often out of reach for those living in segregated areas. Sustainable housing solutions are characterized by inclusivity of the Roma experts and organizations, with programs designed to cater to a variety of needs and involving future residents in the planning process. Effective tenancy schemes often combine both private and municipal properties, contributing to a more balanced and flexible housing market. Collaboration with local municipalities We would like to emphasize the importance of government-level commitment to supporting housing agencies or cooperatives, which has been lacking in the region. Only housing initiatives paired with community building and identity empowerment efforts stand a chance of enduring. These initiatives must foster a sense of ownership and pride among residents, encouraging their active participation in the development and maintenance of their communities. Integral to these housing initiatives are education and training programs, which not only improve residents' skill sets but also their employment prospects. Ongoing support and guidance through a consistent presence in the community can lead to better social mobility. Collaboration with local municipalities and stakeholders is essential for securing financial arrangements and accessing social services. These partnerships are vital for both the economic stability of residents and for bridging the health and well-being gap that Roma communities face. Ultimately, addressing housing deprivation among Roma communities requires a multifaceted approach by creating an inclusive environment that offers economic opportunities and a strong support network. Such a comprehensive approach is necessary to achieve long-lasting improvements in housing and community conditions.

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Meeting with Kim Van Sparrentak (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Nov 2023 · housing

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Nov 2023 · Affordable Housing & The Circular Economy

Meeting with Ciarán Cuffe (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

14 Nov 2023 · EPBD

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of Commissioner Ylva Johansson), Raül Hernández Sagrera (Cabinet of Commissioner Ylva Johansson)

10 Feb 2023 · Ukraine refugee support

Response to Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU

22 Mar 2022

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) wants to highlight the special case of new member states in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) regarding owner-occupied multi-apartment buildings to be considered in the current EPBD proposal. In this broad region the housing stock consists of a significant percentage of multi-apartment blocks built during the socialist era with low levels of energy efficiency. Mass privatization in the 1990s resulted in owner-occupation rates from 80 to over 90%. These buildings are managed through Home-owner associations (HOAs). Homeowners need to overcome legal, human and financial obstacles to be able to renovate co-owned properties with energy efficiency improvements. The multi-apartment buildings, owned by many small-scale owner-occupiers, have been often overlooked in the EU-sponsored programs of renovation. This is even more relevant if we know that many of the homeowners who live in these building belong to low income or even vulnerable groups and therefore many of them are affected by energy poverty. HFHI believes that it is crucial to acknowledge that the homeowners should be in the center of the energy efficiency renovations. First, transparent, professional, and trustworthy management of Homeowner Associations is an essential and baseline requirement for large scale renovation of the multi-apartment stock in countries, where majority of dwellings are privately owned. Second, informational instruments positively affect energy efficiency by promoting informed choices. If residents receive reliable, verified information about their future operation costs, they will make more informed choices and the market will adjust. We believe that in most CEE countries, the key issue is not the lack of financing but lack of ability, knowledge and information. We believe that to carry out renovations at an increased scale, the supporting programmes for renovation of residential owner-occupied multi-apartment buildings should put high emphasis on supporting the owners not only financially but also by complex technical and social assistance. This should include raising awareness on the relevance and benefits of energy efficient renovations, educating and training the owners on technical, financial and community aspects of energy efficient retrofits s, facilitating the process of renovation from financing to the actual construction. The European level renovation programs should include technical assistance that increase the involvement of housing managers and Homeowner Associations by financial, management and technical training possibilities. In this context, HFHI very much welcomes the current EPBD proposal by the European Commission when it addresses this issue: "Member States shall ensure the establishment of technical assistance facilities, including through one-stop-shops, targeting all actors involved in building renovations, including homeowners and administrative, financial and economic actors, including small- and medium-sized enterprises." (Article 15/6.) HFHI would welcome strengthening this aspect of the EPBD proposal with referencing more the special case of owner-occupied multi-apartment buildings and highlighting more the need to provide complex technical assistance to homeowners to scale up renovations in this sector. For our approach, please check: https://getwarmhomes.org/our-approach/ https://comact-project.eu/

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Meeting with Stefano Grassi (Cabinet of Commissioner Kadri Simson) and Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs and

2 Dec 2021 · EPBD - Energy poverty

Response to Delegated act framing the programming of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)

31 May 2021

As a global housing organization, Habitat for Humanity International believes that housing has a transformative impact on people’s lives and wellbeing. This is well recognized in the new European Consensus on Development: “The EU and its Member States …will promote inclusive sustainable urban development to address urban inequality, focusing on those most in need, including those living in informal settlements and slums. They will support partners to improve the delivery of basic services and equitable access to food security and accessible, decent and affordable housing, and to improve the quality of life of rapidly growing urban populations. In line with the UN’s New Urban Agenda, they will promote sustainable land use planning, equitable management of land markets…”(par 60.) This is reiterated in the negotiated text of the new EU-OACP Agreement: “The Parties acknowledge that adequate, safe and affordable housing has a transformative impact on vulnerable and marginalized communities, and has significant impacts on people’s health and their communities’ socio-economic development. The Parties shall work towards ensuring access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for all through the development of policies, strategies, planning and building codes and towards upgrading slums." (Art 31). Based on these EU policy priorities, it is disappointing to note the lack of references to housing, access to land, access to water and basic services and upgrading slums. Existing references are only made in connection to local authorities in the Human development chapter of the NDICI provisional agreement, excluding areas such as ‘planet’ or ‘prosperity’. Access to adequate housing is a human development imperative. For the NDICI to be transformative, it must rely on a policy first approach, with development needs, in line with the SDGs, steering decision-making. Given the fast-growing pace of urbanization in Africa and associated need for adequate housing, the transformative impact of the housing sector as an essential component to build back better should be recognized in the NDICI regulation. The pandemic has shown that housing is essential for public health and can also spur inclusive economic growth as part of the recovery. The EU now has an opportunity to rethink and reinvest in adequate and affordable housing as a central piece to post-pandemic efforts in developing country contexts, not just to prevent the reversal of development gains, but to build back better. Particularly, the NDICI regulation should recognize the importance of housing as it pertains to human development, human rights, inclusive sustainable economic growth and climate change. This is also reflected in how housing complements and helps achieve three quarters of all SDGs. The NDICI regulation should reinforce the dialogue between the EU and partner countries on sustainable urbanization and ensure that the EU’s five priorities underpin inclusive transformation of the African continent, by recognizing the importance of the housing sector, including urban renewal and access to land for housing, in all of them: Green transition, Digital Transformation, Sustainable Growth and Jobs, Peace, Security and Governance and Migration and Mobility. Inclusive strategies under the NDICI should engage communities in the decision-making process for adequate and affordable housing. This would allow for improvements in safeguarding, gender equality, youth empowerment and community-based action planning. The NDICI should recognize the role of CSOs as critical stakeholders to ensure communities are at the heart of designing and implementing housing programs. By representing the voices of the most disadvantaged, CSOs are best fit to identify development challenges and pursue innovative and relevant solutions. CSOs as key development actors should be promoted, not just through the thematic envelop, but also as an implementing channel of geographic programs.

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Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

21 Sept 2020

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) wants to highlight the case of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries focusing on 7 key points 1. Owner occupied Multi Apartment Buildings (MAB) 2. Technical and social assistance to Homeowner Associations (HOAs)3. Role of municipalities 4. Involvement of commercial market 5. Socially targeted subsidies 6. Energy poverty in single family houses 7. Holistic approach in renovation. 1. The housing stock in CEE countries consists of a significant percentage of MABs with low energy efficiency (EE) and high owner occupation rates. These buildings are managed by HOAs. The challenge of the renovation of co-owned properties is the size of investment which is then shared by high number of co-owners. Policies must incentivize overcoming legal, human and financial obstacles to be able to renovate co-owned properties. Professional management of HOAs is a baseline requirement for large-scale renovations. Beside financial instruments, policies must acknowledge that informational instruments boost EE renovation projects. If residents receive reliable information on future benefits, they will make more informed choices positively affecting the market. 2. To carry out renovations at the needed phase/scale, supporting programs for renovation must put emphasis on technical and social assistance for owners, e.g. training the owners on technical, financial and community aspects of EE retrofits, facilitating the process of renovation from financing to the actual construction. It is important to guarantee that renovations programs are predictable and available over years. 3. Municipalities can play several roles in renovation programs to accelerate renovation rates as e.g. financial intermediators, facilitators of building renovation process among all actors, providers of technical assistance to HOA, etc. They may be key actors in involving low-income and energy poor households. E.g. best practice from Lithuania (JESSICA) shows that the involvement of municipalities as agents of interventions was key to successful implementation of EE retrofits on a wider scale. 4. EE improvements cannot be based only on subsidies on the long run. A volume effect can only be achieved if commercial banks take part in the financing schemes. E.g. best practice from Slovakia where after introducing state loan scheme banks followed and accelerated the renovation rate. All the grant schemes from CEE countries became successful only after HOAs were able to access co-financing through banks. 5. In CEE countries social housing stock is small, incomes are lower than EU average, savings at household level scarcer. Loans should be coupled with socially targeted subsidies and must be long-term so that monthly instalments are not higher than energy savings. E.g. the same best practice from Lithuania where the targeting scheme connected the municipal support to an already existing social system reduced the transaction costs. Tackling the problems of the poorest can be an efficient tool to accelerate renovation. 6. Additional focus must be put on low-performing single-family houses as this is where high proportion of energy poor live. Barriers to comply with regulations should be analyzed and tackled by providing specific assistance (e.g. eco-design of space heaters; chimney regulations). The soft elements of renovations must be considered for vulnerable households. Where funding is available for renovations, but no resources are dedicated to change e.g. an entire heating system, renovation initiatives may entail rebound effects. 7. To effectively address EE renovations and energy poverty, EU must promote a holistic approach that combines social and energy policies. As the EGD aims to transform EU into a fair and prosperous society, sufficient measures should be sought to ensure affordable access to energy, to alleviate energy poverty, to mitigate social inequality and social exclusion, and to improve social well-being in general.

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Response to Commission Communication – "Renovation wave" initiative for the building sector

8 Jun 2020

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