In October, EFA responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on a European Affordable Housing Plan. The response brought the perspective of people living with allergy, asthma and COPD to a debate that is often framed around affordability and supply, but that also has clear implications for health.
Housing conditions directly affect indoor air quality (IAQ) and respiratory health. Factors such as heating systems, ventilation, insulation, building materials and air-conditioning play an important role in exposure to indoor pollutants. Poor indoor air can worsen symptoms, trigger exacerbations and increase healthcare needs for people with chronic respiratory and allergic conditions.
Making health a core element of housing policy
EFA called on the Commission to make health a central component of housing policy, including in social and affordable housing schemes. This means supporting funding for health-based renovations, ensuring well-functioning heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and improving access to information on health aspects of housing, including indoor air quality.
Investments that improve indoor environments can deliver health benefits while also supporting energy efficiency and climate objectives. However, without a clear health focus, housing initiatives risk missing these opportunities.
Addressing gaps in knowledge and awareness
EFA also highlighted the need to address gaps in knowledge about the health impact of housing, particularly for high-risk populations. National awareness campaigns and education programmes on healthy housing are needed, alongside stronger involvement of local actors such as patient organisations, health services, schools and public authorities.
These actors are well placed to support prevention, raise awareness and help translate policy objectives into practical action at local level.
Ensuring inclusive innovation on indoor air quality
Innovation in indoor air quality technologies is developing rapidly. EFA welcomed this progress, while stressing that new solutions must be accessible and inclusive. The voices of people most affected by poor indoor air should be integrated from the research stage, and access to IAQ innovations should not be limited by cost or availability.
Learning from existing good practices
Finally, EFA called for stronger cross-sectoral dialogue involving all relevant stakeholders, including patients. Coordinated approaches already exist at national and regional level and can provide useful lessons. Examples include Finland’s Indoor Air and Health Programme, Catalonia’s Inter-Ministerial Public Health Plan, Poland’s programme to replace old heating equipment, and Sarajevo Canton’s long-term strategy to reduce household heating emissions.
The European Affordable Housing Plan is expected in early 2026. EFA will continue engaging to ensure that healthy housing and indoor air quality are properly reflected in future initiatives.
EFA thanks its members the Austrian Lung Union, AAA Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Finnish Organisation for Respiratory Health, the Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy and COPD Patients’ Organisations, the Slovenian Atopic Dermatitis Association, the Spanish Federation of Respiratory Diseases’ Associations, and the Spanish Association for People with Food and Latex Allergy for their valuable input to this response, provided through an online workshop and written contributions.
Read EFA’s full response to the consultation.