On Monday 16 November 2015, the President of the Syndicat des Villes et Communes Luxembourgeoises (SYVICOL), Émile Eicher, signed a declaration of intent with several government officials for the development of a new 'Housing Pact' concept.
On 2 July 2015, the Government Cabinet decided not to modify or reform the current constellation of the 'Housing Pact'. The government recognised that municipalities play a dominant role in housing construction and that therefore both sides - the state and municipalities - should collaborate strongly in this field. The Government determined that in the interest of transparence and clarity, it would be important to develop communication between the Ministry of Housing and municipalities with the objective of promoting awareness amongst municipal officials to reassure them and rally the overhaul of a new 'Housing Pact' concept.
To this end, a working group comprising representatives of the Ministry of Housing, Ministry of the Interior, Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure (Department of Planning) and Syvicol will be created to prepare this new 'housing pact' concept. Secretary of State for Housing, Marc Hansen and Minister of the Interior, Dan Kersch, signed the declaration of intent yesterday on behalf of the State.
The Government stated that it was committed to ensuring the optimal communication and awareness of the municipalities, including at regional meetings, in order to present the range of measures and State aid made available to municipalities for housing. Syvicol in turn declared its commitment to encouraging its members to consider any eventual possibility in the creation of housing and supporting housing policy and state inititatives. The Ministry of Housing will be responsible to integrating the municipalities in housing policy considerations.
Photo by Geoff Thompson (Secretary of State for Housing, Marc Hansen)
