EU invests in Social Housing: EIB loans in practice

The European Investment Bank is scaling up its support for housing. At a recent meeting at the Bank's HQ in Luxembourg, the EIB Secretary General informed the chair of our Economics, Finance and Internal Market Committee of their interest in doing even more.

Recent loans for housing include €120 million to the Federal State of Brandenburg to deal with housing implications of  the refugee influx, € 1 billion for the construction of new social housing in partnership with the Housing Finance Corporation in Britain, €400 million via the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) for Energy efficiency refurbishment in private residential buildings in France. €180 million to the municipality of Sweden for investment including housing investment... the list goes on...

Some issues remain open, for example the lack of clarity of EU state aid and deficit rules which slow down projects, the fact that some countries clearly are more successful than others.The lack of housing projects funded under the EFSI to date despite the EIB encouraging proposals from the sector also requires discussion.

The seminar will be a chance to hear directly from representatives of the EIB, to get more details about approved loans but also to present initiatives in need of financing and get feedback.

The session will take place at the scheduled time of the Economics, Finance and Internal Market Committee meeting.
 

Draft Agenda

Working language: English  -  Event Venue: Science 14

I.14:00-15:00 Update on the strategy of the EIB and recent projects

Moderation: Gene Clayton, Chairman Economic Governance Finance & Internal Markets Committee, Housing Europe

14:00-14:05 Introductory words by the Moderator

14:05-14:25 Overall strategy of the EIB in terms of housing, Gerry Muscat, Head of Division Regional and Urban Development, EIB

Presentation of recent loans by Housing Europe Members

14:25-14:40 The £1 billion project of the Housing Finance Corporation in England, Piers Williamson, CEO

14:40-14:50 New resources from the EIB for Caisse de Dépôts social housing loans in France, Julien Garnier, Research Officer at the Department of Loans and Housing, Caisse de Dépôts

14:50-15:00 Building rehabilitation in Portugal, Joao Carvalhosa, CECODHAS Portugal

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II.15:00-15:45 Analysis of the current situation and new ideas in Europe

Moderation: Gene Clayton, Chairman Economic Governance Finance & Internal Markets Committee, Housing Europe

15:00-15:05 The potential of the housing stock refurbishment in the EU, Julien Dijol, Deputy Secretary General & Policy Coordinator, Housing Europe

15:05-15:30 Project ideas of Members from Hungary, Spain, Albania, Scotland

15:30-15:45 Presentation of a new project idea of the Foundations of Roi Baudoin, Abbe-Pierre and Schneider Electric on energy efficient refurbishment, Marc Uhry, Head of European Affairs, Foundation Abbé Pierre 

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Coffee break 15:45-16:00

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III.16:00 -17:00 Round table on the existing issues and propositions of potential solutions for housing associations

Moderator: Laurent Ghekiere, Head of EU Affairs USH

Gerry Muscat, Head of Division Regional and Urban Development, EIB

Gene Clayton, Chief Executive, The Iveagh Trust in Ireland

Judit Törökné Roza, Head of Unit Urban and Territorial development, DG REGIO, European Commission

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Q & A Session