Housing Europe at EU Urban Agenda Workshop
Unveiling the potential of the Housing Partnership
Brussels, 13 October 2016 | Published in Urban
Housing Europe Secretary General, Sorcha Edwards participated in a workshop dedicated to the Housing Partnership of the Urban Agenda for the EU that took place at the Committee of the Regions within the framework of the European Week of Cities and Regions.
Sorcha presented along with Michaela Kauer, Director of the Liaison Office of the City of Vienna in Brussels and Elena Szolgayova of the Slovakian Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development presented to the event participants who were mainly representatives of local authorities from across Europe the housing partnership, the topics under preparation and their goal.
The main event takeaway was that the role of this Partnership as well as of all others established as part of the EU Urban Agenda, is crucial as far as the implementation of the New Urban Agenda is concerned. Therefore, it should be courageous and call for systemic change. The severe lack of affordable housing across Europe and the negative impact of this shortage on cities and society calls for a re-think of risks of over subsidisation which are at the heart of EU State aid rules.