Housing Crisis, Welfare State Crisis and Social Unrest

Bilbao European Encounters 2026 .

The XIII Bilbao European Encounters seeks to explore and highlight concerns regarding access to housing and, specifically, its impact on particularly affected groups, such as those more susceptible to experiencing loneliness.
In addition to analysing the situation, the aim is to discuss future lines to guarantee access housing and to trigger a far-reaching social transformation.
Establishing the significance of housing as the fifth pillar of the welfare state is therefore of interest (1). There are social, legal and conceptual implications that should be taken into account. The rationale for affordable and social housing has also to be considered (2) when searching for solutions. Concepts such as affordable housing, social housing… and the key aspects for their promotion.
Fostering housing as a tool for intergenerational coexistence strongly stands out among all the solutions. There are research teams working on its conceptual development; examples of good practices and new figures have been available for some time now.