English
The lack of affordable housing is affecting more than 80 million people in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic made the situation even worse, with an increasing number of people struggling to pay their rent or energy bill. But what comes just at the surface has longer structural reasons, rooted in more profound housing inequalities and which risk jeopardise the very essence of our society.
Housing is a human right that must be guaranteed to everybody.
For a socially just and sustainable recovery, we need to make sure that every citizen benefits from decent, affordable and sustainable housing.
Progressive cities and regions have already put in place innovative solutions that can inspire further action on the ground. At the same time, we need a proper European framework. Leaving no one behind means first of all leaving no one without a roof over their head.
In cooperation with the Socialist and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the City of Vienna, the PES Group is organising a week of online debates and a movie projection dedicated to this important topic, with a bunch of speakers who will share their experiences from different angles, feed in with their views and come up with progressive ideas on the way forward.
Be part of it! Together let’s make sure that everyone has a place to call home.
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The documentary from award-winning director Fredrik Gertten, investigates why we can’t afford to live in our own cities anymore. Housing is a fundamental human right, a precondition to a safe and healthy life. But in cities all around the world, having a place to live is becoming more and more difficult. Who are the players and what are the factors that make housing one of today’s most pressing world issues?
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Moderator: Beatriz Ríos, Journalist at Luxembourg Times, ElMundo, EuranetPlus
Setting the scene for the right to housing in Europe
Making the right to housing a reality in Europe
With reactions by Leilani Farha, Fredrik Gertten, and Saskia Sassen
Progressive cities and regions and the right to housing: where are we?
With reactions by Leilani Farha, Fredrik Gertten, and Saskia Sassen
Time for progressive solutions
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Despite the consistent inequalities in access to housing across the EU and the striking consequences that all kind of housing-pathologies have in everyday lives of its citizens, the EU has no direct competence to legislate in housing matters. However, there are areas in which the EU can legislate such as state aid law, fiscal and investment policy, consumers and competition law but also other areas with impact into housing are energy, employment, social exclusion and the regulation of online platforms.
Building on the publication “Concrete actions for Social and Affordable Housing in the EU”, by Sergio Nasarre, Milan Ftacnik, Nuria Lambea Llop and Liga Rasnaca; experts and policymakers will discuss actionable points for local, regional and European actions to enhance access to a decent, inclusive and sustainable place to live.
Common Challenges for Housing Policy
Delivering on affordability: strategies and actions
Followed by a Q&A
Addressing inclusiveness in housing policy
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The Affordable Housing Initiative aims at revitalising 100 neighbourhoods across the EU. Cities and regions all over Europe can contribute to this initiative with a wealth of experiences from the ground. They have proven since many years and in a great diversity of governance contexts that working with communities in participatory approaches can create more inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods while avoiding further gentrification and other speculative tendencies in local housing markets. Little is known yet about the Affordable Housing Initiative yet; to bring it to life, cities and regions will need clarity about funding and financing instruments from the EU. And they are willing to mutually share their expertise in urban development projects. The event aims at clarifying the next steps in this important project.
Introduction: The EU Affordable Housing Initiative
Vienna: Smarter Together - Social and technical innovations for a liveable district
Bratislava: Urban Development in Bratislava
Reactions
Followed by a discussion with the audience
Closing remarks
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General introduction and moderation
Homeless people and the right to decent housing
No to harmful competition, promoting decent housing for all
Conclusions
