EU presented at WUF13 first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan

The EU is committed to providing immediate solutions while advancing long-term reforms to address the housing crisis, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen said in a video address at the panel discussion "The Global Housing Crisis - What's the Plan?" at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

"In Europe, we are deeply convinced that housing is a matter of human dignity and social justice. It is about realizing one of the fundamental rights of every person – the right to live in a safe and healthy environment. Yet, for too many people in Europe and beyond, this right remains elusive. What we are facing is not just a housing problem; it is a full-fledged social crisis that is destroying social cohesion. It is an economic challenge that threatens competitiveness, hinders labor mobility, and slows educational development. It is a crisis that is having a demographic impact, as a huge number of young people are deprived of the opportunity to leave their parents' home and start their own families," emphasized Jørgensen.

He noted that there are over one million homeless people in the European Union, including more than 400,000 children.

"These statistics are completely unacceptable. In the European Union, primary responsibility for housing policy rests with Member States, as well as regional and municipal authorities. However, the European Union also has a responsibility to contribute – and can make a real positive impact. We are proud to present the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan. Our key priority is affordable housing, as income should not be a barrier to home ownership. We place an emphasis on sustainable housing, as energy-efficient buildings benefit not only the environment but also families' budgets," the European Commissioner added.