Position paper of ELFAC on housing and large families

The housing crisis in Europe increasingly impacts families with three or more children, yet large families are constantly dismissed in national and EU housing policies.

Large families make up more than 25% of all children in the European Union, despite making up a small portion of households. Large families are more vulnerable to housing exclusion, poverty, and overcrowding. To show the structural obstacles that large families encounter, such as limited access to appropriately sized housing, social stigma, and limited credit and social housing options, this paper integrates Eurostat data, scholarly research, and an ELFAC survey, which was conducted in 12 European countries.

Family size is not acknowledged as a separate vulnerability factor in current housing strategies, which target low-income households, youth, or the homeless. In addition to addressing Europe’s demographic decline, social cohesion, and long-term sustainability, this paper makes the case that family-friendly housing policies are crucial for social justice. Which is later shown with policy recommendations from ELFAC.