European Commission 9 September 2026, COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT Affordable Housing Act Accompanying the document Proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework for measures in Member States to safeguard housing affordability and availability

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This European Commission Staff Working Document sets out an impact assessment for the proposed Affordable Housing Act accompanying a proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework to safeguard housing affordability and availability under Article 114 TFEU. The initiative addresses legal uncertainty under internal market rules (including the Services Directive and Treaty freedoms) regarding national and local restrictions on short-term rentals and other non-primary uses of housing in areas experiencing housing stress. The assessment examines options ranging from voluntary guidance to substantive harmonisation, identifying a flexible legislative framework (Policy Option 2) that establishes common, evidence-based procedural criteria for identifying stressed areas and evaluating the proportionality and justification of housing restrictions while preserving local housing policy discretion.AI