Recital (14)

Affordable and sustainable housing is another challenge that has come to the forefront due to the significant increase in prices and rents in recent years. Disadvantaged groups and low-income and middle-income families are particularly affected and face more difficulties in accessing housing and a growing risk of homelessness. With a view to providing incentives for Member States and regions to double investments from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, within their respective scope of support, in the construction and renovation of the affordable and sustainable housing stock, including social housing, new specific objectives should be created under different policy objectives to provide flexibility for the programming of housing interventions under dedicated priorities, while acknowledging that the definition of affordability can vary according to the circumstances of each Member State. Such priorities should be compatible with Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council and should entail the possibility of applying a higher Union co-financing rate and of an additional one-off pre-financing of 20 % of the amounts programmed in order to alleviate the burden on public budgets in all categories of regions. For example, investments under the principles and values of the New European Bauhaus initiative should make full use of those new possibilities. Costs resulting from the temporary renting of alternative accommodation for the occupants during the time of the renovation can also be eligible for support under such priorities. It is also appropriate to clarify the support of the JTF in that context.