A new survey shows that a majority of urban European Union citizens rate affordable housing as their top priority. At present, three-quarters reside in cities and urban areas, with 51% considering it to be an “immediate and urgent problem.”
Other key concerns for city dwellers are the quality of public services (selected by 42%) and security and safety in public spaces (36%). In contrast, residents of towns and suburbs (37%) and rural areas (28%) are less concerned about housing costs—and focused instead on the quality of services.
Most respondents living in cities (88%) want their local authorities to renovate existing housing stock to cut energy bills. Majorities also support building more affordable housing from scratch (83%) and by assisting with rent (e.g. controls and vouchers) (82%).
City residents were not questioned as to the underlying causes behind their worries about housing shortages and security concerns.
The research was conducted by Eurobarometer, which has previously identified public opinion trends highlighting migration as a key challenge facing the EU and published on the official website of the European Commission.
