Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) - Initial Reaction from the Housing Partnership

Action Leaders of the EU Urban Agenda Housing Partnership have welcomed the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan presented on March 4, 2021, by the European Commission. 

However, the Partnership notes that with regard to the deep and severe housing crisis in Europe, expectations with regard to Principles 19 and 20 to enable universal access to quality, healthy, safe and affordable housing for all citizens have not been met.

The partners underline the need for a stable, multi-level, multi-stakeholder framework for green and just housing renovation and production, especially in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic which has aggravated the housing crisis to an unprecedented extent.

To contribute to the discussion, Action Leaders have produced a first reaction to the EPSR Action Plan, based on the Partnership´s analytical and scientific findings and policy recommendations, as the European Pillar of Social Rights has been in the focus of the work of the Housing Partnership from several angles.

• First, the pillar supports a rights-based approach in housing policy, with principles 19 (Housing and assistance for the homeless) and 20 (Access to essential service) as key elements. Here, tackling energy poverty with a clear gender bias and preventing evictions after renovation have been highlighted by the Partnership as important policy guidelines.
• Second, the partnership elaborated on how to improve the Social Scoreboard in the European Semester process with regard to social, public, cooperative and affordable housing with a range of proposals.
• Third, with a combined strategy to implement all principles, it allows for a holistic view of people´s lives, as social protection and inclusion, fair working conditions and equal opportunities and access to the labour market are key to housing affordability.

The Action Leaders of the Housing Partnership offered readiness to discuss further improvement options with EU institutions and other stakeholders in the next steps of the development of the Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Take a look at the full reaction available below*!

*This statement on the Action Plan of the EPSR has been adopted by the Action Leaders of the Housing Partnership. The analysis expressed is based on the findings of the Housing Partnership Action Plan and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission.