Ministers Seek Collaborative Approach, Partnerships at EU Housing Conference

Luxembourg's Minister for Housing and Regional Planning, Claude Meisch, participated in the European conference of ministers responsible for housing which was held on in Liège, Belgium, on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 March 2024.

Access to housing is essential to prevent poverty and social exclusion; however, finding decent housing is becoming increasingly difficult across the European Union. Housing costs are rising rapidly, often exceeding average incomes. This crisis particularly affects low-income households, people in precarious situations and homeless people. European authorities recognise the urgency of common solutions to promote inclusive and affordable housing while respecting the principle of subsidiarity.

Investments in affordable housing are crucial not only to meet basic needs, but also to stimulate the local economy, promote professional mobility, improve public health and combat climate change. European Housing Ministers are calling for a collaborative approach to solving these challenges, as well as for the ecological renovation of Europe's building stock.

In his speech, Minister Meisch presented the package of measures for housing and support for the construction sector presented by the Luxembourg government at the end of January. “A high level of public investment in the creation of affordable housing, expanded aid for individuals and time-limited tax incentives for investors – these are the first levers to boost the housing market. The next project aims at administrative simplification and acceleration of procedures,” Minister Meisch described the government’s ambition in terms of housing.

The Ministers responsible for housing support the development of new partnerships between the private sector, non-governmental organisations and public institutions to develop innovative solutions in affordable housing, such as housing cooperatives, affordable and community housing and mixed housing programmes.

In the final declaration, ministers call for a new European contract for affordable housing, aiming to support the development of policies promoting access to affordable, decent and sustainable housing for all. The European Commission is invited to set up, with the support of the European institutions, an annual European summit bringing together all stakeholders involved in the implementation of Member States' actions on affordable housing, based on an approach multilevel and exchange of best practices.

The issue of affordable housing is a major challenge for Luxembourg, as well as for the EU, but also an opportunity to strengthen social cohesion and promote sustainable economic development.