Introduction: A Continent Under Pressure

Introduction: A Continent Under Pressure

Imagine a young professional in Warsaw, saving diligently for an apartment, only to see prices climb faster than any salary raise. Now picture a family in Lisbon, priced out of their own neighborhood by an influx of international buyers. Across Europe, from the sun-drenched coasts of the Mediterranean to the historic city centers of the East, these stories are becoming the new normal. The European dream of secure, affordable housing is under unprecedented threat.

This isn't a localized issue but a continent-wide crisis, a perfect storm of soaring demand, constrained supply, and financial pressures that is reshaping cities and lives. In the second quarter of 2025, house prices in the European Union rose by an average of 5.4% year-on-year, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of increase.

But behind this stark statistic lies a more complex tale of why homes are becoming unaffordable and what Europe's leading experts and policymakers believe we must do about it. This investigation will dissect the root causes of the crisis and map out the path forward, with a special focus on Poland—a dynamic market that encapsulates both the immense opportunities and profound challenges of Europe's new housing reality.

The Anatomy of a Crisis: Why Costs Are Spiraling

The surge in housing costs is not the result of a single failure but a confluence of powerful, interconnected forces. Understanding this complex web is the first step toward finding viable solutions.

The Expert Prescription: Pathways to a More Affordable Future

Confronted with this multi-faceted crisis, a consensus is emerging among experts and policymakers on a suite of necessary actions. In October 2025, housing ministers from over 30 countries within the UNECE met in Geneva, committing to a coordinated strategy to address affordability and sustainability.

Poland in Focus: A Microcosm of the European Challenge

Poland’s housing market embodies the tensions of the wider European crisis. It is a nation of robust economic growth and severe housing shortage, of booming cities and strained household budgets.

The country has seen some of the continent's most dramatic long-term price growth, with house prices more than doubling (+104%) since 2010. Yet, the market is now at a crossroads. After a period of explosive growth, price increases in cities like Warsaw have moderated to a more sustainable 3-8% range, a sign of the market cooling and finding a new balance after the withdrawal of government subsidy programs.

This presents a critical opportunity. Poland has the economic fundamentals to support a healthy housing market, but it now needs the policy focus to address its foundational supply problem. The advice directed at Poland—to simplify planning, incentivize construction, and manage demand—is a template for the action needed across the European Union.

Conclusion: Reclaiming the Right to Housing

The European housing crisis is a formidable challenge, but it is not insurmountable. The path forward, as outlined by experts, requires a fundamental shift in perspective — viewing housing not as a speculative commodity but as a shared social good and a foundation for stability, opportunity, and community.

The solutions are clear: build more and build smarter, curb speculation, and channel finance toward sustainable and affordable projects. Yet while governments and institutions wrestle with long-term reforms, everyday Europeans are still trying to answer a simpler question: Where — and with whom — will I live next month?

That’s where the new wave of housing innovation begins to matter.

Across Europe, people are rewriting what home means — leaning into shared living models that emphasize community, flexibility, and trust. This is not just about affordability; it’s about belonging in an increasingly fragmented world.

And this is precisely what Domkaspot stands for.

Born from the realities of Europe’s urban housing squeeze, beginning from Poland, Domkaspot is helping students, professionals, and internationals find not just a room — but their people. Through smart matching, verified listings, and a focus on safety and connection, it bridges the gap between policy ideals and everyday needs.

As UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean warned, without change, too many will continue to spend half their income just to keep a roof overhead. But with the right mix of policy reform and human-centered innovation, Europe can rediscover balance — where housing once again serves people, not profit.

The future of living won’t be built by governments alone.

It’ll be shaped by platforms, communities, and people daring to imagine better ways to live together.

And perhaps, that’s the quiet revolution Domkaspot represents — a movement reminding Europe that home starts with people.