CECODHAS Housing Europe- Summer Colloquium 2013 Conclusions

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Where is housing in the future social contract?Housing in times of welfare

transformation: new challenges and how to answer them

The Conclusions

CECODHAS Housing Europe ColloquiumLeuven, 24-25 June

2013

Social Housing inthe Future Social Contract

1. Everyone has a right to adequate housinga. Human right recognized by the UNb. Security of tenure, availability of services,

affordability, habitability, accessibility, location & cultural adequacy

c. Housing as a point of access to other human rightsd. Affordability is a major issue in Europe- 26% of

households spending > 40% of their income on housing costs

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2. The markets failed to deliver adequate housinga. Globalization & neo-liberalism led to a turnaround in

housing policies = failed approachb. Deregulation of (housing) finance markets and the

associated banking systemsc. NOT TRUE that the state does not have a place in

housing and that the private market will be able to provide housing solutions for all

d. Transition to a new economic & governance system needed



3. Home- ownership is NOT the only tenurea. The idea of home- ownership has been the

absolute goal over the last 30 yearsb. Any other option held as inferior…c. This approach now widely recognized as misguidedd. Still preferred option for majority of households,

BUT…e. A more diversified range of tenure options needed

and should maybe be encouraged



4. Housing is a political, not a technical concerna. It is now recognized that housing is a political and

democratic issueb. A rather political than technical manifesto for

housing is neededc. A political debate needs to be raised to challenge

the inadequacy of the housing conditions for millions of households

d. Adequacy of living conditions = political decision



5. A call for evidence- based policymakinga. Need to define “poor” and “vulnerable”b. Evidence required to support assumptionsc. Actual role of social housing within European

welfare systems has to be supported by consistent evidence

d. One way forward: Development of a European Housing Observatory to report at EU level, assisting the EU strategy related to the housing sector



6. Housing and the Energy Transitiona. Simplistic approach that Green Economy is a “win-

win” escape route from the crisisb. As fossil fuel prices keep rising, addressing energy

poverty may be a major challenge on welfare budgets in terms of income support and healthcare costs

c. An integrated city-wide approach is needed for an effective energy transition- Just environmentally responsible buildings not enough…



7. Working with civil societya. Individual behavior is a key element for saving

energyb. Engagement of the people is absolutely essential

both in and outside of their homesc. Inspiration and leadership needed to ensure that

people can share a different vision for the future of the urban areas



8. Where next for social housing providers?a. Leading role of social housing providers in energy

saving through new construction and refurbishment of existing dwelling stock

b. Opportunity to interact with tenants, local communities and governmental stakeholders in their decision –making processes

c. If wider economic and energy transition is to become a reality, social housing providers in EU need to be active in that process


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[email protected]

@HousingEurope

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CECODHAS Housing Europe- Summer Colloquium 2013 Conclusions