14-02-2007

"The EU cannot constantly ignore the concerns of EU citizens regarding housing as a major element in the growth and productivity agenda. Decent housing is fundamental to competitiveness. Without sufficient good-quality housing, we cannot attract and retain workers, resulting in economic decline," CoR rapporteur Flo Clucas told the CoR's plenary session in Brussels.

The report acknowledges that housing policy does not fall directly under the EU's remit, but points out that many areas of EU responsibility affect housing issues. Examples of those policies include urban environment, energy efficiency, renewable energies, noise pollution and health, as well as completion of the internal market in services and competition. Housing has also been designated as eligible for a limited level of support from EU structural funds in the twelve Member States which have joined the Union since May 2004.

The CoR's report comes against the backdrop of increasing signs that housing is becoming a major concern at EU level. The European Parliament's urban housing intergroup adopted the European Charter on Housing in April last year and Germany, which currently holds the EU's six-month rotating presidency, will host a meeting of European Ministers for urban and spatial development in Leipzig on May 24-25. The European Commission, responsible for drafting EU legislative proposals, has also highlighted the role of social housing in implementing social cohesion and fundamental rights in a recent policy paper on 'social services of general interest'.