Europe’s Affordable Housing Agenda: Insurers as Partners in Delivery
The GDV hosted representatives from the public sector, financial services, and the building industry to a panel discussion on the role of insurers in addressing the European housing crisis.
Panellists, from left to right: Marija Ivoninaite (GDV), Rémi Collombet (Efficient Buildings Europe), Francesco Amodeo (European Commission), and Lukas Jeckel (Generali Real Estate).
For Europe, housing is no longer just a social issue. It affects our competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion. Insurers, as long-term investors and risk managers, can play an important role in addressing this crisis. On Thursday, 2 July, the GDV brought together Francesco Amodeo (European Commission, DG ENER Housing Taskforce), Lukas Jeckel (Head of Central Northern Europe Region, Generali Real Estate), and Rémi Collombet (Secretary General, Efficient Buildings Europe) to discuss how to accelerate private investment into housing and the centrality of climate resilience in ensuring long-term housing affordability.
The discussion highlighted that although housing remains primarily a national competence, the affordability crisis is now so widely felt that a coordinated European response has become necessary. Panellists also discussed the Commission's European Affordable Housing Plan, presented in December 2025, and the role of initiatives such as the Pan-European Investment Platform in supporting investment and facilitating the exchange of knowledge between Member States.
The panel also explored the conditions needed to unlock greater private investment in housing. While insurers have a long history of investing in real estate, lengthy permitting procedures and an evolving regulatory landscape continue to create barriers for institutional investors. Simplifying permitting processes and fostering innovation in the construction sector emerged as important enablers of future investment.
In addition, the potential of renovation and office-to-residential conversions to increase housing supply was discussed. Participants stressed that improving the climate resilience and energy efficiency of Europe's building stock is essential to ensuring long-term affordability. Closer cooperation between the finance and construction sectors will be key to scaling up investment.
The shared message of the panel was clear: Europe's housing crisis requires a coordinated and long-term response. As institutional investors with extensive experience in risk management and financing long-term assets, insurers are well placed to support the delivery of more affordable and resilient housing. If the implementation of the European Affordable Housing Plan can ensure a stable investment environment, simplify regulatory and permitting processes, and prioritise climate resilience, the insurance sector can be a key partner in making affordable housing a reality across Europe.