The European Urban Initiative article explores key initiatives for integrating the energy transition in affordable housing across European cities. In Ghent, Belgium, the ICCARUS project helps “captive owners”—homeowners unable to afford necessary energy-efficient renovations. Through financial support and technical guidance, ICCARUS offers up to €30,000 per household, with a revolving fund model that makes energy upgrades accessible while sustaining future projects. This approach supports vulnerable homeowners and mitigates rising energy poverty by enabling energy-efficient homes and avoiding speculative market practices.
In Spain, the Yes, We Rent! project in Mataró tackles both energy transition and housing availability by incentivizing the renovation and rental of vacant apartments at below-market rates. This initiative helps bring unused flats into the rental market and ensures these properties meet energy-efficient standards, contributing to both affordability and environmental goals. The flats are managed by a tenants’ cooperative, forming a foundation for a long-term affordable housing stock.
Similarly, in Getafe, Spain, the Energy Poverty Intelligence Unit (EPIU) combats “hidden energy poverty,” a condition where residents reduce energy use due to high costs, affecting a large portion of Spain’s population. The EPIU program, through its Healthy Households Office, provides accessible energy efficiency advice and personalized support, especially for vulnerable groups like low-income families, the elderly, and migrants. Measures such as energy audits and passive cooling solutions help households reduce consumption while maintaining comfort, creating an equitable transition toward sustainable energy use.
These projects underscore the need for inclusive energy transition policies to prevent deepening inequalities. By combining financial assistance, technical support, and socially conscious strategies, Ghent, Mataró, and Getafe exemplify how cities can address both energy efficiency and housing affordability, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind in the shift to sustainable living.
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