For many years we have highlighted the lack of adequate housing policies and the growth of housing difficulties for large sections of the European population, in a context of profound demographic and social changes. Today, finally, Europe acknowledges that we are facing a structural housing crisis, which requires a comprehensive, coordinated response in the short and long term. We are confronted with a crisis in which social and sustainable housing is a fundamental necessity for social protection, social inclusion and cohesion, but also for the attractiveness and economic development of territories.
This crisis does not only affect the poorest families, but involves large sections of the middle class, which risk slipping into poverty. It affects young people and the most vulnerable groups, such as people living alone, the elderly and people with disabilities along with students, and people who move for work reasons and who, in many cases, ensure the functioning of essential public services.
To respond effectively to these needs, it is necessary to increase the supply of rental housing, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, diversifying solutions according to different needs. But measures are also needed to counter real estate speculation, which fuels the increase in prices and processes of expulsion of families from urban centres, especially from historic centres.
A sustainable housing supply must be guaranteed in all territories: in large urban centers, but also in small cities and inland areas. To overcome a structural crisis, the strengthening and diversification of supply is a common necessity for all countries.
We need a structural and permanent stock of social housing for rent, to be achieved through new constructions, the recovery of unused assets and the reuse of vacant public and private assets. Solutions that must take into account the specificities of demographics, urban planning and the different territories.
Social housing is not just “a roof”, it is a tool for growth, social cohesion and support for families facing economic, social and cultural fragility. Accompanying families on their paths to economic and social emancipation is an integral part of housing policies.
The social housing sector, which by its non-profit nature, vision and mission offers a roof and accompanies families in a process of emancipation, must be recognised, preserved, enhanced and strengthened especially in contexts where too little has been invested. Addressing this challenge will require ambitious initiatives in a number of areas. Significant resources will be needed, both in the form of loans and non-repayable grants.
We must be clear: in the face of a structural crisis caused by a market failure, the answer cannot be entrusted to the market itself. We do not need new purely profit entities, but greater investments in social and sustainable rent, in a sector that has demonstrated reliability and the ability to manage complexity over time.
Given the scale of the crisis, the risks of simplifying the responses and privatising the sector exist and represent a potential risk of failure to resolve the housing crisis. The challenge is difficult, but there is the energy and skills to face it, provided that we all work with the same goal: institutions, associations, companies, trade unions and representatives of the owners.
On this, we must present a united front. The launch of the Housing Summit is positive, but stakeholder involvement must take place at all levels, from European to local.
In compliance with national competences, the European Plan must be articulated at national, regional and local levels with the necessary flexibility that takes into account the different experiences and specificities but with the ambition and awareness that housing policies need at any level a new governance and dedicated resources complementary to the European ones.
Today we are starting an initial discussion to identify convergences on the Plan and on the next measures. We have prepared our own document, which we will progressively enrich both through internal discussion and through dialogue with all the stakeholders involved.
Growth, social justice, sustainability and environmental action must go hand in hand.
That is why we need a European Affordable Housing Plan that supports existing models that have proven their resilience over time and promotes innovation where it is needed. Based on these models and the many good practices in the sector, the Plan can concretely support Member States and local suppliers in their activities. The success of the Plan will be measured by its ability to help Member States bridge the gap between the demand and supply of social and affordable housing.