The European Social Charter, a Council of Europe treaty that guarantees fundamental social and economic rights, recognises the right to adequate and affordable housing as a human right. Vienna's housing model is an example of how this principle works in practice.
Over the past ten years, the majority of countries in the European Union have seen sharp increases in housing costs. In response to this alarming trend, a special parliamentary committee on the housing crisis, known as HOUS, was established to find solutions for the provision of decent and affordable housing in the EU.
Today, around 50 percent of all Viennese residents live in subsidised accommodation. Either in one of the 220,000 municipal housing units or in one of the 200,000 co-operative flats built with city subsidies.
In July 2025, a five-member HOUS delegation arrived in Vienna to find examples of best practices for affordable housing from a historical, current and future perspective.
The delegation, led by the Chair of the Special Committee, Member of the European Parliament, Irene Tinagli, visited social housing and construction projects throughout the city including Seestadt in the 22nd district.
Tinagli mentioned that Vienna had often been recommended to her during meetings in Brussels as a place to visit and citied as a "role model" where social housing was "well developed".
"Now we've had the chance to get to know the Vienna Model better. And we’re very impressed. We've visited projects that are extremely interesting. They offer the opportunity to citizens from all sorts of social backgrounds to have affordable housing", said the Chair of the Special Committee.
"I think this is an extremely interesting model where you can guarantee economic and also social and environmental sustainably. The model is really comprehensive, broad and long-lasting and has been in place for decades now", added Tinagli.
The special committee previously visited Barcelona to discuss short-term rentals. Further trips to Paris, Warsaw, Milan, and Palermo are planned.
Vienna's Executive City Councillor for Housing, Housing Construction, Urban Renewal and Women's Issues, Kathrin Gáal said that the city is "committed to subsidised housing construction".
She added: "The Vienna Model of social housing ensures that future generations, will also have access to a sufficient number of affordable places to live."
Vienna's municipal housing model has achieved worldwide recognition as a successful example of social housing, and the city often hosts international urban planning experts who want to learn from Vienna's achievements.
In March this year, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, visited Vienna to find out more about the Viennese model of social housing.