Today, PES housing ministers convened at the start of the new European mandate for an online meeting to discuss measures to tackle the European housing crisis.
Ministers kicked off the meeting by congratulating Dan Jørgensen as the first ever Commissioner for Energy and Housing and commended him for his vision to implement a European Affordable Housing Plan and to leverage investments in housing.
Klara Geywitz, the German Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building, and Chair of the meeting, said:
‘‘Housing is a human right, meaning that everyone should have access to quality housing. This is not what reality looks like for our citizens, however: there is not enough accommodation, and it is too expensive in far too many cases. The situation is pressing, and we need to act now, in the interest of the people.
Thanks to the hard work and persistent pressure of our political family, this mandate’s political guidelines of the European Commission therefore include many of our priorities and demands on housing. Notably, the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan, which is being spearheaded by Commissioner Jørgensen. With his expertise and determination, Europe’s housing is in safe hands and will make a difference for people.’’
Ministers also congratulated the chair of the newly established Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union in the European Parliament, Irene Tinagli, S&D MEP. They also wished the best of luck to the PES candidate for the President of the European Committee of the Regions Kata Tüttő, in the upcoming election this week.
Participants commended the housing measures planned by Commissioner Jørgensen for this mandate and expressed their utmost support in this regard. They underlined that the housing crisis requires a strong response and joining forces. Network members furthermore touched upon the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and its implementation at national level.
The meeting later reiterated the severity of the housing crisis in Europe and the challenges facing our continent. Participants stressed that too many people across Europe are suffering from housing difficulties and ineffective insulation. They also highlighted that in Europe it is estimated that 1.2 million people are homeless, and that young people continue to suffer in particular from the lack of affordable housing. Moreover, Network members agreed that the gender dimension in relation to affordable housing cannot be overlooked.
The meeting was attended by:
Klara Geywitz – Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building, Germany, Network Chair
Sophie Hæstorp Andersen – Minister for Social Affairs and Housing, Denmark
Roderick Galdes – Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation, Malta
David Lucas – Secretary of State for Housing and Urban Agenda, Spain
Dan Jørgensen – European Commissioner for Energy and Housing
Irene Tinagli – S&D Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the Housing Committee
Gaby Bischoff – S&D Member of the European Parliament, S&D VP for Sustainable Economy, Social Europe, and Single Market
Kata Tüttő – PES candidate for the President of the European Committee of the Regions
Luca Menesini – President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions
Yonnec Polet – PES Deputy Secretary General
