Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] The adoption of smart home technology is expected to grow by 20% annually, with devices like smart thermostats, security cameras, and leak detectors becoming commonplace. Kollman Group
• [New] From predictive thermostats to cameras that answer questions about what they saw, 2026 homes will feel more personalized. Race Blog
• [New] Unitree Robotics, led by Wang Xingxing, aims to have humanoid robots in homes by 2030, currently developing its first model. Ticker
• [New] Looking to 2026, student-loan payments are likely to remain a meaningful drag on household budgets, even as expanded income-driven repayment options help some borrowers manage rising delinquencies. Forbes
• [New] The EU set targets for energy savings and on protecting vulnerable households from energy poverty and has obligations on reducing primary energy use in residential buildings and increasing the share of renewables in heating and electricity (Directive 2023/2413). Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] Revenues from the EU Social Climate Fund and the emissions trading system for buildings and transport could be directed towards building-decarbonisation schemes to make homes greener and more affordable in the long term. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] Beginning in plan year 2026, the Colorado General Assembly and the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise will introduce Colorado Premium Assistance to help reduce monthly costs for households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Connect for Health Colorado
• [New] Eviction filings continue to rise, with a projected total of 115,000 filings by the end of 2025, which accounts for nearly 10% of renter-occupied households in New Jersey. NJ Department of Community Affairs
• [New] Household budgets could get a boost from pay rises in 2026. The Week
• [New] 2026 brings a turn toward affordability - even as home prices keep rising. Coldwell Banker Blue Matter
• [New] While LinkedIn might have started as a tool for job seekers, it's become one of the most powerful platforms for brand-building, especially for B2B companies, solo creators in professional fields, and in-house marketing teams. Buffer: All-you-need social media toolkit for small bus
• [New] Higher interest rates will directly impact borrowing costs for Japanese households and corporations. FinancialContent
• [New] Western German federal states are currently short of 1.2 million housing units, a considerably higher figure than previously predicted. The Left Berlin
• [New] House rent growth is to pick up in 2026, driven by Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra - reflecting rising household incomes and still-tight rental supply. Property Update
• [New] Housing Support Program - Priority Works $104.8m in 2025-26 ($166.1m / 2 yrs) has been provided to Victoria by the Commonwealth Government. A deep dive on the 2025 Victorian Budget | VCOSS
• [New] Insurance plays a central role in financial inclusion by shielding households from major shocks and supporting productive risk-taking. Insurance Business
• [New] A tariff on Mexican goods will push prices up on televisions, computers, and smart home devices. chapters
• [New] Located 81 kilometers off the Polish coast, Baltyk 1 will consist of up to 104 turbines and could supply renewable electricity to as many as two million households. TGS 4C | 4c Offshore
• [New] New Street expects there to be 139 million Internet households in 2030, up from 133 million at the end of 2025. Light Reading
• [New] Solar Homes Program - Hot water rebates $29.7m in 2025-26 to extend the Solar Victoria hot water rebate program, which provides eligible households with rebates to install energy efficient electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems. A deep dive on the 2025 Victorian Budget | VCOSS
• [New] While the 2025-26 Budget papers show more than 2,000 new homes will be added next financial year, there is no ongoing pipeline. / Australia A deep dive on the 2025 Victorian Budget | VCOSS

Last updated: 13 December 2025