Responsible housing as a driver for sustainable growth

From theory to practice; Launching the European Responsible Housing Initiative

Copenhagen, 5 November 2013Save the date

27 November 2013- SAS Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Hammerichsgade 1, 1611, Conference room “Svanen”, Copenhagen, Denmark

What is the future role of affordable housing? How can responsible housing be secured? These are only some of the main questions to be addressed at the conference organized by BL on Wednesday, 27 November in Copenhagen.

Programme

Opening and Welcome
10:30 - 11:15 Welcome coffee and Registration

First session: Looking at the future role of affordable housing

11.15 - 11.30 Welcome

Mr Ozgur Oener, Vice President of CECODHAS Housing Europe
Setting the frame: the crisis has put long term investments in EU underpressure in favour of short term fiscal consolidation. Climate and socialactions with large potentials for long-term growth, high rate of return oninvestments, social inclusion and job-creation is being put on hold due tolack of financing. The link between ambitious climate targets and strongsocial policies will be most obvious in the consequence of their absence infuture Europe.

11.30 - 11.45 Introduction

Mr Palle Adamsen, President of BL – Danmarks Almene Boliger
The Danish Model of Social Housing: housing for all in need at the heart ofambitious energy objectives and social inclusion - why and how has it beenpossible and what is still needed.

11.45 – 12.30 Key Note Speech: Reconciling climate action, social justice andgrowth-oriented economics; thinking outside the box

Mr Jens Thomas Arnfred, Partner at Vandkunsten Architects2

12.30 – 13.00 Questions and Answers

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch at the premises

Dine and digest: during the lunch break additional information and sign upfor the study trips next day (November 28th) will be available

Second session: Increase responsible housing supply: positive impacts for the society

14.00 – 14.30 Social housing and job creation

Mr Rikke Lonne, Head of Partnerships Projects, BL- Danmarks Almene Boliger
Whip or carrot? Forcing social housing organisations to include criteria on creatinginternships when procuring construction projects can enhance employment. But socan voluntary agreements between housing organisations and constructingcompanies. What are the benefits and results so far- and can they be applied byorganisations not falling under the public procurement directive?

14.30 – 15.30 Debate: How affordable housing can participate to EU growthpolicies

Mr Laurent Ghekiere, Head of the EU Representation for USHPresentation of the French social housing pact with the government toincrease supply and its potential growth impact and to accelerate the energytransition.

15.30 – 15.45 Coffee Break

Third session: “Responsible housing: Working with stakeholders to support sustainablecommunities. Practices and tools for federations and local housing providers”

15.45 – 16.00 “CSR as the way towards Responsible Housing”

Ms Charlotte Limousin, ERHIN project coordinator, Project Manager at DELPHIS. A framework for a balanced approach; how can CSR be used as a tool to balance social, economic and energy- and climate considerations for thesocial housing sector in Europe?

16.00 – 17.15 Round table moderated by Ms Charlotte Limousin

How to engage stakeholders for greater outcomes? Feedback from the CECODHASHousing Europe members

• Presentation of AEDES (NL) code of conduct by Alexander Luijten

• Presentation of NABCO (IR) strategy to develop into a responsibleenterprise by Niall O’Keeffe

• Local housing providers involving stakeholders GdW (DE) by ManfredSydow (tbc)

• Presentation of tools developed by SABO (SW) for their members by Therese Berg

17.15 – 17.30 Roundtable Sum-up

‐ Responsible Housing- the tenant’s perspective by Ms Barbara Steenbergen, International Union of Tenants, Head of EU Liaison Office

‐ Sum-up and main issues to be further explored by Ms Charlotte Limousin

17.30 – 17.45 Closing session: How to build Social Housing in the Future

• Mr Carsten Hansen, Danish Minister for Housing
The vision of the future social housing