With the European Commission having just unveiled its EU Affordable Housing Plan, we are gearing up for what could be a defining policy debate of the new year.
Housing Europe’s event “Guiding Europe Home”, hosted by MEP Irene Tinagli at the European Parliament (room 3H1) on 2 February 2026 (15:00-17:00), aims to cut through the rhetoric and interrogate how Europe can ensure that housing is affordable with substance.
This two-hour debate comes at a critical moment for European policymakers trying to square ambitious goals with pragmatic implementation.
The event is now sold out and we will ensure streaming due to the high interest.
AGENDA
2 February 2026, from 15:00 to 17:00 at the European Parliament (room 3H1)
Moderator: Jennifer Baker
15:00 WELCOME WORDS
Irene Tinagli, MEP (S&D) and Chair of the HOUS Committee
Marco Corradi, President of Housing Europe
Seamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
15:10 SUPPORTING THE MOST AFFECTED
Bent Madsen, BL (Danish member of Housing Europe)
Ruth Owen, Deputy Director of the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA)
Barbara Steenbergen, Head of the International Union of Tenants EU liaison office
15:40 BOOSTING SUPPLY
Christian Lieberknecht, GdW (German member of Housing Europe)
Robert Nuij, Head of Unit for energy efficiency of buildings and products, DG ENER
16:05 MOBILISING INVESTMENT
Rossana Zaccaria, Legacoop (Italian member of Housing Europe)
Mikko Aaltonen, Member of the Tampere City Council, Committee of the Regions
Antonio Bandres, Head of Head of International Corporate Finance at ICO and ELTI’s Board Member
16:30 ENABLING IMMEDIATE SUPPORT WHILE DRIVING REFORMS
Marc Patay, Union Sociale pour l’Habitat (French member of Housing Europe)
Agnese Papadia, Cabinet of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen
Richard Cronin, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU
Mar Jiménez Carreté, Comissioner for European Affairs at Barcelona City Council
16:50 CLOSING WORDS
Matthew Baldwin, Head of the Housing Task Force, European Commission
Sorcha Edwards, Secretary General of Housing Europe