This chapter lays out the framework of the book regarding housing and energy cost problems across Europe in the context of the youngest crisis. It sketches the key challenges of housing in Europe and deals with the selection of countries which will be used as case studies (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). The chapter also frames the core research questions of the forthcoming country chapters: What are the main developments of housing costs (including heating and energy cost) both concerning the self-occupation and the rental housing segment in the respective national context? What is the relevance of the national system of housing provision for current cost development? Which policy instruments are currently being used to respond to the challenge of rising costs (especially energy and heating costs) and how are they interrelated with the national system of housing provision?