Would you like to know more about the vital role local and regional authorities play in implementing good housing governance, policies and projects? Join the Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN) to discuss how they can inspire the upcoming EU Affordable Housing Plan, based on good practices on the ground. The debate will showcase the rich diversity of housing solutions that have been developed to address climate change in our building stock while improving and securing safe, decent and affordable housing for present and future generations. The session will identify the recommendations of cities and regions to allow for Housing for the Common Good on EU level.
- Climate and environment | Cohesion | Energy | EU/ European | Governance and Public administration | Housing | Local and regional | Social inclusion and Equality | Sustainable | Urban
- Code: 14PD252419
- Van Maerlant, VMA23
Speakers
Moderator
Practical information
- When
-
Tue 14/10/2025, 16:30 - 18:00 CET
- Where
- Van Maerlant, VMA23
- Type of partnership
- Regional partnership
- Format
- Political/policy debate
- Theme
-
Cities building tomorrow
- Language
- English
Partners
City of Vienna
Stockholm Region EU Office
Representation of Riga City Council in the EU
Irish Regions European Office
Representation of the Bratislava Region to the EU
Metropolitan Region Amsterdam
Helsinki EU Office
Oslo Region European Office
Documents
summary-stakeholder-dialogue-on-housing-for-the-common-good---vienna-04-2024_0
responsiblehousingdeclaration_en_0
euua-housing-partnership-summary
Reporting
Session summary
As a result of the vibrant political debate, the below mentioned speakers and the moderator Michaela Kauer, Director of the Brussels Office of the City of Vienna, came to the following conclusions:
• Social and affordable housing provision embedded in sustainable urban development strategies must be based on the principle of the common good, to the benefit of people and the planet.
• The main challenge of cities and regions is the provision of more social, public and affordable housing, both in terms of new construction and renovation of the existing housing stock.
• Securing land for affordable housing plays a key role for which models like the Community Land Trusts and local zoning laws are excellent instruments.
• We can mutually benefit from smart, innovative ideas elaborated and executed by striving stakeholders from our cities, like the model of the Social Rental Agencies in Brussels, the cooperative sector in Austria and the Netherlands, the energy efficiency indicators for heating of multi-apartment buildings in Riga or the use of prefabricated elements in Tallinn
• We need stronger protection by the EU to assure a comprehensive sustainable European housing policy
Therefore, the speakers and the moderator call on the European Union actors to…
anchor affordable, sustainable and decent housing as a human right in the European legislative architecture by using the Housing Continuum to allow a broad diversity of social, public, cooperative and affordable rental as well as home-ownership housing solutions
engage regions and cities as the voices of the citizens in shaping policies and work closely with all stakeholders, like the limited-profit sector and tenants´organisations
deblock public investment potential by a revision of the state aid rules to allow more public investment in social and affordable housing in all European cities and regions in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity and by taking housing investments from the balance sheet
take measures to protect the European citizens from financialisation and speculation
... especially in the preparation of the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan.
Quotes
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Affordable housing requires a true European ‘big push’. Local governments face growing fiscal limits, while housing needs are rising. The EU should take the lead — through European bonds, co-financing and regulation – to make housing a shared European pri
Housing is a human crisis - it is a real people tragedy across our Community. If the EU is to restore confidence in its own Institutions among the people of Europe it must contribute to resolving what to my mind is the Civil Rights Issue of this generatio
People in Riga need safe, warm and affordable homes, not endless promises. The EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 is not a showcase for us, it is a work plan where every euro must translate into real square meters - insulated buil
Let’s ensure that urban housing will be affordable in the short and long term, especially for middle-class families and essential workers. It is important that we strengthen investment opportunities for sustainable housing through public-private partnersh
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