Deadline: 01-Dec-2026
This European Commission funding call supports innovative housing-led approaches to reduce homelessness across EU Member States and Associated Countries.
It aligns with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) vision, which connects:
- Sustainability (green transition)
- Inclusion (social equity and accessibility)
- Aesthetics (livable, human-centered environments)
The programme treats homelessness as a structural issue requiring integrated housing, social, and policy solutions.
Key Focus Areas
The initiative supports projects addressing:
- Housing-led solutions for homelessness
- Affordable and social housing systems
- Social inclusion and reintegration
- Prevention and early intervention strategies
- Person-centred support services
- Neighbourhood regeneration and development
- Policy reform and institutional innovation
- Data collection and homelessness monitoring systems
- Climate-resilient and energy-efficient housing
- Renewable energy integration in housing systems
- Nature-based and green infrastructure solutions
- Scalable housing models across Europe
Programme Objectives
The call aims to:
- Provide permanent housing solutions for homeless populations
- Improve integration of housing and social services
- Strengthen early intervention and prevention systems
- Align housing policy with green transition goals
- Promote inclusive and co-created housing models
- Generate evidence-based policy improvements across Europe
Housing-Led Approach Explained
A housing-led approach means:
- Immediate access to stable housing is the starting point
- Social and health support services are provided alongside housing
- Long-term reintegration into society is supported
- Housing is treated as a fundamental right and foundation for recovery
This approach shifts focus from temporary shelters to permanent housing solutions.
Implementation Requirements
Projects must:
- Implement at least three housing-led approaches
- Operate across urban, peri-urban, and rural neighbourhoods
- Cover multiple EU Member States and/or Associated Countries
- Ensure adaptation to local housing and social systems
- Guarantee permanent housing access for target groups
- Include co-creation with homeless individuals and families
- Address institutional barriers to housing access
Green Transition Integration
All housing models must include environmental sustainability features such as:
- Renewable energy systems (solar, clean energy solutions)
- Climate adaptation and resilience measures
- Energy-efficient building design
- Nature-based solutions in housing environments
- Sustainable urban planning practices
Monitoring and Evaluation
Projects must develop:
- A robust data collection framework
- Comparable indicators across different neighbourhoods
- Evaluation methods against traditional homelessness interventions
- Evidence to support policy development and scaling
Funding Details
- Total budget: €12,600,000
- Estimated funding per project: ~€6,300,000
- Funding framework: Horizon Europe
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Any legal entity under national, EU, or international law
- NGOs, public bodies, research institutions, and companies
- Organizations from non-associated third countries
- International organizations
Applicants must meet Horizon Europe eligibility requirements.
Evaluation Priorities
Projects will be assessed based on:
- Effectiveness in reducing homelessness
- Quality of housing-led implementation models
- Integration of social and environmental sustainability
- Innovation in housing systems and policy design
- Strength of co-creation with affected populations
- Scalability and replicability across Europe
- Quality of monitoring and evidence generation
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative reframes homelessness as a housing and systems issue rather than only a social welfare challenge.
It helps:
- Reduce long-term homelessness in Europe
- Strengthen affordable housing systems
- Improve coordination between housing and social services
- Support climate-resilient urban development
- Generate scalable, evidence-based policy solutions
- Promote dignity and inclusion for vulnerable populations
Conclusion
The European Commission’s housing-led homelessness initiative under the New European Bauhaus provides approximately €6.3 million per project to develop sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient housing solutions. By integrating permanent housing, social support, and green transition principles, the programme aims to transform homelessness policy and practice across Europe.
For more information, visit European Commission.
