An opinion piece by Housing Europe Research Coordinator, Dara Turnbull that provides an overview of the measures taken at EU level to help states and financial institutions through the COVID19 adversity. Dara also estimates how this might impact on public, cooperative and social housing providers.

Spain has quickly taken the lead on the countries with the highest number of confirmed COVID19 cases in Europe and in the world. The strict confinement measures put in place since 15th March together with the recently announced freeze on the non-essential economy, have put homes in danger by the imminent non-payment of mortgages and rent. These days, measures are being discussed at both at national and regional levels in Spain to put some relief on tenants.

In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the UK government has taken unprecedented steps today to instruct local authorities/municipalities across England to house everyone – who is known to be street homeless – by this weekend. World Habitat welcomes this move as a measure to save lives in an unprecedented crisis.