site.btaNew National Housing Strategy Expected by End-2027, Officials Say

A new National Housing Strategy is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, it was announced Friday during a meeting between Deputy Regional Development and Public Works Ministers Pavleta Pelovska and Desislava Georgieva and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty and his team.

The government officials said that work is currently underway on drafting a new strategic document aligned with contemporary socio-economic, demographic, and political conditions, as well as current EU housing policy goals focused on improving housing affordability. The strategy is expected to cover a period lasting at least until 2040 and aims to establish a comprehensive framework for national housing policy for the entire population.

Pelovska highlighted that the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works operates on the principles of the rule of law, proportionality, and respect for human dignity. She also pointed to the Ministry’s ongoing dialogue with Council of Europe bodies in the field of human rights, including participation in processes linked to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance and the implementation of recommendations under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Georgieva said that EU funding is complementing national efforts, outlining investments in energy efficiency and housing infrastructure under the Regions in Growth 2014-2020 programme and the Regions Development 2021-2027 programme. She said that nearly EUR 90 million has been allocated in the current programming period for energy efficiency in the existing housing stock, along with EUR 29.35 million for new energy-efficient buildings. A further EUR 17 million is dedicated to housing infrastructure, while around EUR 70 million is allocated to other social infrastructure aimed at promoting social inclusion.

Under the 2014–2020 programme, 18 social housing projects worth around EUR 22 million have been implemented. These investments have renovated 854 homes in urban areas and improved living conditions for 1,688 people from marginalized communities, she added.

Georgieva also said that support would continue beyond 2027, stressing the importance of better coordination between infrastructure measures and social services, stronger engagement with local authorities, and broader public consultation before implementation.

Commissioner O’Flaherty welcomed the Ministry’s cooperation with local authorities, and said that discussions on the topic would continue.