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BackRising rents, precarious employment and the economic impact of the Corona crisis have led to a constant rise of people without housing in the EU. In response, the EU has launched the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness. The aim is to achieve the EU target of no one living on the streets in the EU by 2030.
There are many reasons why people become houseless: social exclusion, low income, unemployment, precarious employment, but also personal reasons are the main causes. The problem, however, is not always visible in our society; on the one hand people without a fixed registration address are increasingly driven out of the cityscape, and on the other hand houselessness often exists in a hidden way. Hence, people without housing often stay in shelters overnight or find friends to take them in. There are no official figures but it has been estimated that 700 000 – 800 000 people in the EU are affected. Compared to 10 years earlier, this is an increase of 70 %. In Austria, more than 22 000 people officially have no fixed abode. The estimated number of unknown cases is far higher.
The European Platform on Combatting Homelessness
Combatting homelessness has also been enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. Its 19th Principle includes the sector "Housing and assistance for the homeless". It deals with access to social housing, appropriate assistance and protection against forced eviction as well as with adequate shelter and services for people without housing with the aim to promote their social inclusion. Apart from that, all 27 EU Member States attending a conference under the Portuguese Presidency in Lisbon, have committed themselves to implementing concrete measures to combat houselessness. The aim is to ensure that people in the EU no longer have to sleep rough by 2030. The European Platform on Combatting Homelessness has been launched to meet this goal.
Focus on long-term solutions and prevention
The platform aims at the prevention of homelessness and the development and implementation of integrated approaches. This should by no means only be about providing emergency accommodation, but above all about creating long-term solutions. Thus, the platform serves to improve cooperation between representatives of EU institutions, national ministers, social partners, civil society organisations and municipal representatives. The focus will be on exchanging approaches and practices, so-called "Best Practices", and the mutual support between participants. The platform will also focus on collecting data. This is essential for the better understanding of the dimensions of the problem and to find effective solutions. The initiative is to be funded by national budgets as well as by various EU funds such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and InvestEU.
EU Parliament in pioneering role
The EU Parliament too regards increasing numbers of people without housing in the EU as an urgent problem that must be solved as quickly as possible. The European Parliament resolution on decent and affordable housing put the issue on the European Agenda for the first time. In the debate with Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, on 13 January 2022, MEPs of the S&D, EPP and RENEW group campaigned for a Housing First approach. The right to housing is not only a question of fundamental rights, but is also considered a key element for a successful integration into the labour market. Commissioner Schmit underlined the importance of effective housing policy in Europe. The market alone would not solve the housing problems; what was needed were public investments and more social housing. The EU Commission would be able to lend its support; however, housing is primarily a question of national and local policies.
Further information
AK EUROPA Factsheet: Zeit für ein soziales Europa (German only)
EU Commission: European Platform on Combatting Homelessness is launched
EU Parliament: EU should set goad to end homelessness by 2030