Regular national report on housing developments in European countries : synthesis report

Housing is not an EU competency, but housing policies, arrangements for their implementation and
housing markets are key concerns of policy makers in European countries, because their effective
operation has significant implications for the quality of life enjoyed by households, for the sustainability
of communities and for economic development. Therefore, since 1989 the housing ministers of
European Union (EU) member States have met regularly to discuss issues related to housing policy and
sustainable development. In order to inform these discussions, in 2000 and 2001 a synthesis report
summarising housing developments in European countries was prepared by France and Belgium, which
held the presidency of the Council of the EU during these years. To mark its presidency of the EU,
during the first half of 2004, Ireland has prepared this updated report on recent housing developments
across Europe. This report was presented to a meeting of housing focal points representative of housing
ministries from European countries, held in the Netherlands in November 2004.