Housing Europe and the SDG Watch Europe
A cross-sectoral alliance for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
Brussels, 14 October 2016 | Published in Urban, SocialOn 13-14 October, SDG Watch Europe was officially launched. A new, cross-sectoral alliance of NGOs from development, environment, social, human rights and other sectors whose goal is to raise awareness and hold governments accountable for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).
Why is Housing Europe participating?
Taking into account the European and Global facts that there are more people without a home today in Europe than six years ago and there is an ever growing demand for a liveable and caring city and at the same time, cities are increasingly pushed to cater for those already privileged with the goal of becoming global cities.
The Global Community has recognised the urgent need to re-visit our housing policies and has adopted in 2015 the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030 and specifically SDG number 11 ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’ which highlights among its targets to ‘ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums’; and number 7 ‘Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy for all’.
Housing has an essential role to play in meeting the targets set in these goals and make cities places where everyone can reach its full potential. We believe that the Solutions to housing affordability can be achieved by
- Building more public, social and cooperative housing
- Improving the regulatory framework impacting these non-for-profit housing providers
- Cooperating with market players to boost affordability in housing
- Making cities more inclusive and liveable by promoting holistic thinking
We believe that a diverse housing sector is crucial to meeting those goals and to deal with the changing housing needs from grass roots level.
As the EU is currently working on its Strategy on implementing the Agenda 2030, it is crucial that Housing Europe work side-by -side with other cross-sectorial organisations on finding solutions to our shared housing challenges and addressing Construction & Energy, Finance and the Economy and Social Affairs.
How can Housing Europe Members be involved?
Through the different channels of SDG Watch Europe we are committed to share good examples that are happening on the ground which showcase that our Members are already delivering Goal number 7 and 11. Housing Europe Members are also welcome to join upcoming plenaries (meetings) and contribute to the different work strands with their various expertise.
