On 15 October 2020, I participated as speaker in an online conference organized by the European Socialist Party in the European Committee of the Regions.
The objective of this event which was organised in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2020 was to identify the different obstacles that public administrations are facing at local and regional level when financing social and accessible housing through European funds. I have been invited to take part in the event being the shadow rapporteur for the report on “Access to decent and accessible housing for all” of the European Parliament that is currently under preparation.
In my speech, I have defended the need to implement social progress plans in the Recovery Plans, describing how exactly the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights will be implemented within the specific recommendations for each country during the European semester and in which areas will the social investment address, including investment in social housing.
An integrated strategy for social, public, non-segregated and affordable housing needs to be developed at the European Union level, creating an enabling framework for national, regional and local authorities to guarantee the provision of housing.
The right to housing is a fundamental right and must be treated as such.
The recording of the conference is available here.