Turning Empty Spaces into Affordable, Sustainable Homes

The housing crisis and environmental sustainability are two of the most pressing challenges of our time. But what if we could address both simultaneously? That’s the bold vision behind Empty Spaces to Homes project, an innovative initiative launched in January 2024. Led by Habitat for Humanity International and funded by the Laudes Foundation, this initiative is transforming vacant and underutilized spaces in Poland, Great Briatin, Hungary, and Croatia into affordable, energy-efficient homes.

By breathing new life into existing structures, the Empty Spaces to Homes project tackles housing exclusion while dramatically reducing carbon emissions. Its mission is clear: create sustainable living solutions for vulnerable groups—including young adults, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups, like refugees and female-headed households, while improving energy efficiency and embracing sustainable building methods.

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability and Affordability

In many European regions, housing affordability is at a breaking point, driven by systemic inequalities, underinvestment, and limited social housing options. This is further compounded by the widespread problem of energy-inefficient housing, which leaves vulnerable groups disproportionately exposed to energy poverty. 

Shockingly, research reveals that up to 12% of housing in these areas is vacant, often owned by local governments. Through innovative reuse, the Empty Spaces to Homes project is turning these overlooked properties into modern, sustainable homes.

The Role of Research in Building a Solid Foundation

To ensure its approach is built on a solid foundation, the Empty Spaces to Homes project team has conducted an in-depth review of a wide range of methodologies, standards, and guidelines currently used for life-cycle carbon assessments (LCA), focusing on the building and reconstruction sectors while identifying best practices as well as areas for improvement. 

This research was carried out by the contractor ENOVA, a leading multi-disciplinary development consulting company operating in the region of Southeast Europe.

As the review revealed, leading standards such as EN 15978 and ISO 15392 offer robust frameworks. The European standard provides detailed life-cycle assessment methods, while the international standard outlines sustainability principles in building construction. Together, they create a strong foundation for holistic carbon accounting.

However, these existing methods often lack accessibility for practitioners. The review highlighted the need for tools that simplify technical complexities and bridge the gap between theory and application— making it easier for stakeholders to take meaningful steps toward sustainability goals. 

Habitat for Humanity’s upcoming methodology, informed by this research, will integrate best practices from international and European standards while addressing their limitations. It will focus on: 

• Whole-life carbon reduction, prioritizing material reuse, recycling, and minimizing operational energy use. 
• Circular economy principles, encouraging sustainable material selection and design for deconstruction.
• Practical tools, offering clear, actionable insights to guide sustainable decisions across the building life cycle. 

Innovation Through Collaboration

At the heart of the Empty Spaces to Homes project lies a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional solutions. Demonstration builds will showcase how vacant spaces can be transformed into functional housing, directly addressing the lack of affordable housing stock, overcrowding, and energy poverty. 

But that’s just the beginning. A comprehensive methodology for assessing and mitigating CO₂ emissions throughout the renovation process is also in development. This methodology will operationalize LCA approaches via a user-friendly Excel-based tool, designed to calculate greenhouse gas emissions across every stage of a building’s life cycle. 

From raw material extraction to demolition and waste processing, this tool will provide stakeholders with actionable insights for reducing environmental impact, enabling data-driven decisions in line with climate goals. 

Policy Advocacy for Long-Term Change

Real change requires systemic support, and the Empty Spaces to Homes project is advocating for housing policies at local, national, and EU levels. By promoting social rental agencies and enhancing governance for affordable housing, the project is aiming for long-term, resilient solutions. 

This policy-driven approach aligns closely with EU directives, Green Public Procurement criteria, and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities. It’s a dual strategy that not only addresses the immediate housing crisis but also supports the ambitious climate targets of the European Green Deal. 

A Call to Action: Shaping the Future Together

The Empty Spaces to Homes project represents a bold step toward addressing two intertwined crises— housing affordability and environmental sustainability. With its innovative methodologies, practical tools, and strong advocacy efforts, it’s empowering communities, policymakers, and practitioners to work together toward turning vacant properties into thriving homes while cutting carbon emissions and improving communities.

Stay tuned as this initiative takes shape, redefining what’s possible when we rethink housing and sustainability as a unified challenge.

For a deeper dive into the research that’s driving these transformative solutions, read the full report.