Housing Europe initiates closer collaboration with the Metropolitan Region of Lyon

At a time when the future Cohesion Policy of the EU is under debate with the report ‘Boosting Investment in Social Infrastructure in Europe’ triggering public debate around lack of investment in social infrastructure, Housing Europe inter alia as a member of the Cohesion Alliance opened its doors to welcome the President of Lyon Metropole as part of the visit of a Lyonnaise delegation to Brussels to discuss ways the EU can support local authorities in boosting provision of affordable housing, given that the proposed reform is putting the social housing sector in France under threat.

The delegation from Lyon could exchange on these issues, apart from the President and the staff of Housing Europe, with a number of key stakeholders in Brussels, including among others representatives from the European Commission, the European Committee of the Regions, the EU Urban Agenda and the Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU.

Lyon, the third metropolis in France with 1.3 million inhabitants with more than 14 000 newcomers annually, is confronted with pressure on housing prices (+8% in 2017). To address the growing demand, Lyon has a strong commitment to social housing, as 20% of the total stock are social homes as well as 30% of the annual construction. The new housing strategy sets proactive action in urban renewal in focus combining demolition, renovation and new construction of a budget of more than 200 million Euros over the next years.

The President of Housing Europe, Cédric Van Styvendael opened the meeting saying: “I strongly believe that quality, affordable housing for all is the key to make our cities and regions great place to live now and in the future. Our collaboration with the Metropolitan Region of Lyon is indicative of our will to intensify even more the ties between local authorities and public, cooperative and social housing providers aiming at the most positive impact for our citizens and tenants.”

David Kimelfeld, President of the Lyon Metropolitan Region highlighted the added value of the administration model implemented in the wider area of Lyon “With its expanded competences, our Region is in position to develop urban projects and to take care of people living on its territory. This is our message towards the EU Institutions”. 

Within this collaboration framework, the Metropolitan Region of Lyon along with AURA HLM- the association of social housing providers in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region- will host the second edition of the International Social Housing Festival from June 4th to June 7th 2019, aiming to turn itself into a global hub around the role of affordable housing for sustainable communities in the future.