- “So it's working very well. Um, we're also working hard. And this starts to take me into our area to work, which maybe isn't always so visible with the member states. Um, we have our first big meeting with them tomorrow. Uh, we have 600 people registered, I'm told. I didn't know there were 600 member states, but this reflects the width of interest across the different areas. And again, if I may say, the process works very well. So you have held hearings around the mid term review and which we hope will be additional money coming through cohesion to housing. You've also held a very good hearing on state aid, and indeed, tomorrow we will have some of those same experts talking to the member states about how they can do their mid-term review work and the implications in terms of state aid. So you're sort of you're shaping the process for us in a very, very helpful way. And I will report back on that on that meeting we're holding tomorrow. The task force itself, we were established on the 1st of February. We are now almost complete. Uh, we have a really good mixture of people, including national experts. I told Jeremy yesterday that one of your most distinguished speakers from state aid, um, a national expert from Czechia, we have now captured. He's now in our task force working as a national expert. Um, and so we're bringing real expertise in from from the member states. Um, and the thing I'm missing at the moment is the cities where we're seeing so much strong speakers here, and we are going to try to up our cooperation with with them on cities.”
State Aid · Cohesion and rural funding · EU housing policy
- “We have, I think, as I've mentioned to this committee before, we have colleagues from all parts of the from the commission. We have eight different DGS who sent somebody to us. And again, that is very important because again, we're a coordinating committee. I really appreciate your asking the other DGS to come. Don't stop doing that. We are there to coordinate the work streams for the political level and try to make a sensible policy out of everything we're trying to achieve together. Um, and so, uh, so far, so good. It's been hectic. It's been extremely exciting. But we would like to continue this close cooperation with you. Um, in terms of our working practices, I think it's been very helpful to us to continue to stress, including here, the importance of the subsidiarity Principle. We are not, I think, the Commission or the EU trying to take over housing. Um, with some sort of misguided messiah complex. Uh, the work needs to be done and led by member states, by cities and regions and local authorities. So the question again is how we can support and facilitate and enable their work. And I think that message is important. And then when we look to European added value, there will be areas. There may be areas where we should be ready to regulate. I'm not going to tell you or speculate what they might be, but for the most part, we'll be looking at exchanges of best practices and recommendations, removing removing barriers, trying to find new ways of financial support, delivering technical assistance to enable people to deliver.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · EU housing policy
- “We are, as you know, looking hard at state Aids in the consultations. For that, we can expect to be launched also in the month of June with, I hope, detailed policy proposals emerging later in the year. So I think from the commission side, we're coming forward with things along the way. Um, but the dominating thing for us this year is what we've called the Affordable housing dialogue in partnership with you. And we think it's working very well. And that's the feedback that we're we're getting. Um, just quickly, in terms of the, um, expert workshops, um, some of which don't yet have dates, but we're looking at autumn for most of these. We're looking at a workshop on permitting and regulation on short term rentals, which of course is another issue you've tackled here, investments in the housing market and the pan-European investment platform on social housing, on skills, on homelessness and on cooperative and other innovative housing models. And it goes without saying that we'd like to invite your representatives or you yourself, Madam Chair, if you if you are able to join us for those discussions. Um, and I think I can stop there because I've already taken too much time, but very happy to engage in questions, and if I may, through you, chair, thank you all very much for the great participation that we've and collaboration we've received. Thank you.”
State Aid · EU housing policy · EU regulation of short-term rentals
- “Thank you. Thank you very much indeed. And thank you indeed for the really excellent cooperation also, and your kind words of welcome. Um, I've taken very careful note of everything you've said. Um, indeed. I think, you know, simplification is a very important issue also for the commission has been stressed, I think, at all levels. And I think you heard it a bit yesterday already with Commissioner Roswells, um, appearance here, where she, I think, also showed her absolute willingness to look if there are issues which are impeding, she's ready to to look at them. And so I think it goes without saying that that's very much our approach as well. To be very clear, I don't at this stage envisage that we will come forward with an impact assessment ahead of the affordable housing plan. Why? Because we are will be, I think, mapping out possible ideas for the future. If we then come with further legislative proposals, that will be the moment where you would need in the normal way to do impact assessment. But um, indeed, um, the approach that Croatia has taken is something we're very ready to look at and to learn from. It sounds extremely interesting and detailed and, and if I may, this, this, this way of working with member States in a very specific way to learn from them as to what works best before we make recommendations or give guidance as to how to approach things, is extremely valuable. So through you, I would like to thank Croatia for coming up with such a strong plan, and we look forward to discussing it with them. Thank you.”
EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much, Miss Monteiro. I very much agree with your last comment about the need to provide affordable housing for all and, and indeed the impact on people's health. And I would say education and chances is why housing is, is so fundamental, which is why to go to your start of your question, we do see housing as a fundamental right. Um, and uh, but I would also point out that it is also a business. If it was not a business, we wouldn't be able to attract private money in to build so many of the houses we need. So it's finding that balance which makes this such a difficult and a fascinating challenge. And I repeat the answer I gave a moment ago to to Miss Harris that we are looking at the issue. We are ready to look at the question of speculation in terms of its impact on this. Um, the, um, we do hope that there will be more housing built. A number of member states are talking about that. They've adopted national targets, and we see that as part of the answer to increasing supply. But I also very much agree with you that we need to look at, um, the issue of underused housing, whether it's empty housing, whether housing, buildings can be repurposed to provide more housing. We've got to think about using every avenue there is to increase the supply and not just to build. And as regards your comment on on defence housing, um, I knew at some point today I was going to have to say that question is above my pay grade, and this is that moment. It's not for a humble commission official to be choosing between priorities such as these. But thank you for your comments.”
Non-performing mortgages · Energy performance of buildings · EU housing policy
- “I totally hear you, I hear them. I've worked with cities for a long time. I profoundly believe that a lot of the things we most need to do in terms of societal challenges will start with cities. So I'm really pleased they've been so organized and produced what I think is an extraordinary report, but coordinated between 15 big cities. It's very strong. And here I'm not endorsing any of their recommendations, but we're looking at them very closely. Um, and, and I also hear your message about trying to rethink the consultation process. I will take that message back to my colleagues in DG Regio. But I see the frustration. But I also see the energy and the engagement, and that will be part of our way through together in terms of what can be done this year. I take note of your suggestion. Um, these are important and complex legal matters and not in my gift. And I take careful note of what you said the commissioner has in his committee said how important he sees is this issue of short term rentals and is convinced that more needs to be done. Thank you.”
EU housing policy · EU regulation of short-term rentals · EU policy on urban development
- “I understand where you're where you're what you're trying to achieve, but I think the access to funds is going to be a major challenge as we go forward on taxation issues, on multiple properties. The hearing that you had yesterday, I think, on tax, threw up some very good technical thoughts about how to look at taxation issues. Of course, these are the housing is the responsibility and competence of member states and also so is taxation. But I think in the past we've used mechanisms like the European Semester to make recommendations to member states about how they handle these dual competencies competencies in an effective way. So I take note of that. And and I also take note of your suggestion on banning platforms as Airbnb, if I may. Just a general comment, I think A more personal approach wouldn't be to to be trying to ban, in the sense of regulate in such a direct way. My verb here would be enable enabling cities to try to manage the crisis in a in a more effective way, to manage the tensions between tourism, on the one hand, and and and housing for permanent city residents. But again, I take careful note of your suggestions. Thank you for the clarity.”
European Semester (social dimension) · EU housing policy · EU regulation of short-term rentals
- “Thank you very much for your your question, which echoes some of the themes we've heard here this afternoon. Um, I noted through interpretation the phrase tension in relation to regions. And one of the things that I picked up on in the city's report was the idea of stressed parts of cities. And I think that gets to the same phenomenon where you're seeing parts of, of of cities and indeed islands, holiday places which are really overheated and indeed the pressures on on residents. I don't have instant answers for that. It's something we're aware of and we're trying to study and assess and and look at the the implications. There's some strange things going on because in some areas which are clearly very objectively stressed and prices are rising, you're still seeing quite a lot of vacancies, vacant homes as well. Um, and so we've got to try to, to analyse and understand these issues. Um, and indeed in, in looking at the whole question of short term rentals, by implication, I think if we can get the balance right there and the commissioner and executive vice president says as well, it will imply a measure of protection, or if you like, enabling cities to protect, to decide how they get this balance right between tourism and and permanent housing. That's our goal. Let's see if we can get there. Thank you.”
EU housing policy · EU regulation of short-term rentals · EU strategy for tourism development
- “And then we have the other rights questions. We have property rights to sit alongside housing rights and fundamental and human rights, and we need to recognise these as well. Property rights need to be respected again. They tend to be regulated at the national level. And we also do need to think about in this context their importance in ensuring supply to the market. One of the speakers, I think perhaps one of the members referred to 4 million empty homes in Spain. We need to think of ways we can bring housing to the market. I've spoken long enough, Madam Chair, but if I may conclude, we do want to address a number of these issues in our work, we do want to try to find meaningful, practical ways of addressing homelessness. Um, we do want to, uh, address the concerns around the need for social housing and for more of it and at all costs, we need to try to find together practical steps to add European value. And in this context, I'm pleased to say that our consultation processes are not just open, but stepping up. We will be launching a big public consultation, um, under the standard rules, I hope next week or early in the week after. And that'll be open for four months, and this will be the chance for us to dig down into all of these important issues. And I really want to thank you again and all the experts for such a memorable hearing. Thank you.”
Minimum income harmonisation at EU level · EU housing policy · EU competences on social policies
- “But we might, though we might be looking at issues such as guidance or soft law in the context of our work. That would be my my instinct at this stage. You also mentioned students and young people. This is also a high priority for my commissioner. I met this morning. It might be an interesting focus for for the committee with people looking at the cost of accommodation for students. It's a project run by the Economic and Social Committee called move, and it's really focused on, you know, that whole issue of access to educational opportunity, which is being threatened by, by the, by the cost of housing on environmental protection and simplification. I've taken very careful note of what you've had to say. Um, I think I can only reassure you in the same words that Commissioner Roswell and Commissioner Jorgensen have used here, that our intention is only to look at where there is a specific pinch point. If there is, and we're inviting people who have concerns to bring as specific as possible what the issue is, which is affecting um housing. Um, and, and and not to simply say, oh, the nature restoration law is a problem or whatever it is, it must be very specific, because otherwise I don't think it's a meaningful way to try to address the challenges. That's the spirit in which we're doing it. We're trying to use simplification, which is a I agree, a commonly used word, as a basis for enabling the supply of housing and not as a, as a basis for undermining our environmental protection. Thank you.”
EU housing policy
- “In terms of our timeline. I think it's clear and we've agreed this year is the year of consultation and hard work behind the scenes. Um, we have launched already a call for evidence on the affordable housing plan. Feedback is open until the 4th of June. We will then launch in late June a full, open public consultation with questions designed for answer by experts. And we also have questions which we hope will be of interest to the general public. And then with you, we have, I think, got a really full programme of dedicated expert workshops throughout the year in terms of our substantive work, because Commissioner has been very clear, he knows that the substantial part will be for the European Affordable Plan in the first quarter after the European Parliament has adopted its report. That is certainly our intention. But in the same time, I think, and you are helping us on this, we can't go silent for a year. We have to fill the space with the policy that's ready. And so in respect of that, we've had and you've had him here, the executive vice president on the mid term review doubling the cohesion policy investments. We are working hard with the EIB and other financial institutions on the pan European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing. I am not sure when that work will conclude, because we want this to be a really strong, ambitious, functional platform and not just a shell with a name.”
Energy performance of buildings · Cohesion and rural funding · EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much indeed, Miss Gomes, for that point. And raising the important issue of land as a fundamental part of the housing puzzle. And indeed in cities, it's the land which is the valuable part. And the house or the apartment is the crumbling, deteriorating asset that's built on top of it. And we're aware of the tightness of the situation. And a number of people have drawn this to our attention. It's something we'll be analyzing closely. And it's also driven, for example, quite a lot of interesting alternative models like the Community Land Trust to look at ways in which you can you can use land most effectively. All good things for us to think about. I also take note of your comments about public procurement rules. We'll need to take a look at those. Um, and on RF, I take careful note. I'm pleased that the RF has been such an important vector to get more European money into into housing, mainly in support of sustainable housing. I think it will be ambitious to try to expect a big change now, because the deadline for the spending of these funds, because of the strict council deadline, is July of 2026. But again, it's been a very useful and an interesting model for us to to use and to think about for the future, perhaps as we approach the next financial period. Thank you.”
Energy performance of buildings · Cohesion and rural funding · EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much, Mr. Verhofstadt, for drawing our attention to the issues in Slovakia. And I'm aware it's very, very tough on the affordability side and particularly for young people. It's not much of a comfort, but those themes are common throughout Europe but noted very much in Slovakia. I like the verb enabling that you used, and you talked about enabling social housing at the same time as enabling space for the market. You and I might agree on that, but I want to stress is that these are issues for member states in the first place to choose the balance that they put between social, so-called affordable and the market. And we are not likely to be in the business of saying this is what you should do. But it is. I think a number of member states do believe in that, in that balance. On your specific suggestion around state aid for public housing allied to combinations of loans and guarantees. A very interesting idea. You know that DG comp are hard at work coming up with a tweaking of the state aid guidelines, um, to give Member states a bit more flexibility to address the priorities in their markets. Uh, I think we've heard from the cities about the lack of funding available for municipal authorities as a fundamental problem. Eloquently put in their report. Um, and I also very much agree that where there's public money, particularly European public money going in, we need to ensure that it stays in that sector supporting social or affordable housing, whatever it is, and doesn't then magically disappear off for luxury flats at some point in the future. Um, but thank you for your comments.”
Energy transition (state support) · State Aid · EU housing policy
- “Eight years ago, the European pillar of social rights made housing a social right in Europe. It's time to turn this promise into reality. So you've been heard at the highest level in the commission on that point, and we'll do our best to carry that forward. You've both spoken eloquently about the importance of subsidiarity, and, of course, that we hear that including in this House as well. But I agree with what you said. It is a vital principle, but it's not an excuse for inaction. Our approach is to recognise that the primary responsibility of member states and cities and regions, and to try to add value to add support from the EU to those essential efforts. You mentioned the importance of public and private investments, which we strongly agree with. We are developing, as we speak an inclusive, constructive, proactive pan-European investment platform which aims to gather together the different sources of public funding under one roof, at least in terms of identifying where it can be reached to help municipalities, to help housing providers and developers access public and private financing for affordable and social housing. You've also specifically flagged up the issues for young people. We could not agree more. Young people are really struggling, particularly in an urban context, to find and access affordable housing. Lucy has touched on short term rentals, she's touched on construction, she's touched on simplification and and also on state aid. So I won't repeat those points. May I underline what you have said, however, about homelessness? You used the word. Is it acceptable just to reassure you? My brief says it is unacceptable, so I'd like to confirm that view.”
State Aid · Energy performance of buildings · EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I shall try not to use all my five minutes, because I know I'm standing between you all and the evening. Um, Firstly, I haven't heard everything that's said today. My colleague Lucia has already spoken up. I think very eloquently on a number of those other elements. Um, I want to begin by thanking the everyone at the ESC for all of your support and activity throughout this. I know that the Parliament has also benefited from this. Um, I looked up, noting you were coming to speak on behalf of civil society, just how much engagement we have had with them during the course of our consultation period, which has now closed. We had 13,000 respondents, including 12,000 citizens. Of the 1000 stakeholders, we heard from more than 150 NGOs working particularly with vulnerable groups, homeless people and on social housing, but from across the range. And I think that speaks volumes for the importance of the role of civil society in inputting into this process. Through you, but also directly to us through the consultation. And I really thank you for it. You've covered so many issues in your opinion and you've touched on them. Now, let me just try to pick up very briefly, some of them without repeating points that have already been made by by Lucia Cadet. To begin where you began on the issue of fundamental rights to housing, I get extra points for this. I shall quote the president of the Commission back to you, where she said, housing is about dignity. It is about fairness. It's about Europe's future.”
EU housing policy · EU competences on social policies · EU engagement with civil society
- “That's also what my commissioner would say if he were here, and certainly executive Vice President Sato as well. But you're also right about the data deficit. And this is an issue which I think affects a lot of the areas of our work. We can and we must do better on data, and we will look to try to carry that forward in the future. But absolutely, homelessness needs to be part of our work on housing. Someone said to me the other day, we need to mainstream homelessness. Well, I wouldn't put it quite that way. If you see what I mean. But we need to mainstream our efforts on homelessness to because it is such an essential topic. And I do anticipate that it is part of the European Affordable Housing Plan and the forthcoming anti-poverty strategy. Um, you mentioned so many other points, which I will just try to tick off in agreement disability, an essential dimension which will be tackled, um, in the plan in some way, um, renovation of existing buildings, building on derelict and brownfield sites, reusing buildings that we have. It's not just about a build baby build approach. It has to be part of the equation and we think we can do much more on that. Um, yeah, I think I should stop there. Um, Mr. Chairman, to for once speak for the commission in less than the time allocated to me. But thank you very much again, for another really, really stimulating hearing. We're very, very grateful to the Commission.”
Energy performance of buildings · Child poverty policy · EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much indeed, Madam Chair. And thank you for organising this very, very valuable joint hearing between the Employment Committee and the House Committee with genuinely great expertise. We've been scribbling away here. As I know the drafters of the House Committee report have been as well, because I think you've raised together a number of really vital issues to to our work. Yes, it's complex, and I don't think we should shy away from the complexities at a number of levels. I like what people have said, that we need to remember housing as a system and not to, and therefore try to understand it in its overall way. It works as well as in its separate parts. But that, of course, and it's been said, I think, on all sides, we must respect and understand fundamentally the subsidiarity here and recognise that its member states and regions and cities that essentially have the competence. So we need to tread carefully. That said, you have raised together a number of the issues we are considering, and I know the House Committee has been thinking about in other hearings as well, such as a short term rentals such as state aids and of course such as homelessness, but also all the range of important questions around social housing as an essential as an essential topic. If I may, on homelessness, this is not new territory for the European Union. We do have the European Platform for Combating Homelessness, which my colleagues from DG employment to coordinate, but also as as Ruth Owen from Shanghai has pointed out, both executive Vice-President and Commissioner Johnson received a number of questions on this at their hearings, and both of them have replied that they see this as an important area for us to address in the in the Affordable Plan.”
State Aid · EU housing policy · EU regulation of short-term rentals
- “And I would add, if I may speak on behalf of employment also in the context of the anti-poverty strategy, which is also going to be being put together. Um, uh, thank you, Ruth also for pointing out that we haven't a potentially marginal role given the issues of competencies, but we do want to see how we can make the best possible contribution to the prevention of homelessness and also at at at rehousing. These are essential topics. And as part of that, of course, evictions are an important part of the troubled picture that faces European housing as a whole. And it is clearly a major trigger for indeed, some have set a primary cause for homelessness we face. As for homelessness issues around data collection, which I think loom over all of this area, but I think we can recognise that the reduction in, or even better, the prevention of eviction could therefore both reduce the risk and the incidence of, of of of homelessness. Again, a hugely complicated picture to regulate. It's often about national laws locally applied. Dealing with complex and thorny issues of contracts and tenant rights. But we do need to recognise that the existing pillar of social rights, number 19, for those who are counting, does refer to the importance of trying to avoid forced evictions.”
Child poverty policy · EU housing policy · EU competences on social policies
- “Thank you very much indeed, Mr. Bosnak, and for your kind words as well. Much appreciated. The the body referred to is a thing called the Commission Advisory Board. In technical terms, this is a temporary commission expert group, which is the formula we have to use to set up any body of this kind. Um, and the idea, and Commissioner Jorgensen was very keen, was to have an independent group of experts, apart from the distinguished people in the Housing Task Force, to give him some advice as to where to go with this. So we've launched this open call for tender. The process, the tender closes tomorrow. I'm told we have a number of very distinguished applications, and then we will, inside the commission, choose. I think we're looking at 15 members and it will be I think it's not going to be representative in the sense that we're going to be sort of saying this person is here to represent this sector or this industry. We want independent experts, but to I hope it'll look like Europe. As Bill Clinton once said about a cabinet he formed. And and to provide that genuine and additional independent perspective for for us and I'm sure that they would be I'm thinking aloud here, but I'm sure they'd be very happy to come and speak to the committee if you wish to ask them in terms of local and regional governance.”
Transparency requirements of EU institutions · EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much indeed, Mr. O'Riordan. Riordan. And two very clear questions. On your first issue and the connection between tenant rights and homelessness, I addressed that issue with a lot of a lot of sympathy. Um, all the issues affecting, um, uncertainty for people on housing. Uh, we can count that. We can try to count the homelessness. We have the same sort of number. Around 1.3 million people are homeless. It's the best estimate. And 400,000 children, by the way, is the number I have for those affected by homelessness. And these are, to quote Commissioner Johnson, unacceptable numbers and numbers we have to address. Um, and I think you've heard both, um, in in her hearings from executive vice president and from Commissioner Johnson, that they see homelessness as a major priority for our for our work. And I think, um, both in the context of the anti-poverty strategy and in the context of our work on housing. So I really want to assure you that will be up front and center in respect to the specifics about protecting tenant rights. We, like you, are in a close dialogue with bodies such as the International Union of Tenants, and I think they have spoken to this committee. We've taken careful note of their proposals, which I think are some of them are interesting. And indeed, if we can find if there is a clear evidence of a link on that, that's something we should all think about. My own hesitation. It's a personal hesitation. I can't speak for the commission is I find it hard to imagine that we would regulate in this area.”
Minimum income harmonisation at EU level · Child poverty policy · EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much indeed, Miss Harris, for those clear views. I'm sorry I missed the first part of your question about energy efficiency. But if I'm right in summarizing what you said, um, Commissioner Johnson sees very much as two sides of the same coin, the affordable and sustainable. And I would add decent quality homes. And I'm sure you'd agree that this is an important set of objectives. Um, you've raised the risk of negative effects in terms of further increasing housing speculation and inequalities. I would certainly agree that housing is one of those issues which reflects societal challenges and, and, and problems. Um, and indeed, it's in the mission letter of Commissioner Johnson that we need to consider how much speculation has been a factor in the current crisis, and we will certainly do that. Um, it seems to me I haven't got the numbers to hand, that the huge changes in prices and the the sharpness of the impact on people and the most vulnerable people in society does have a real impact on inequality. So I would agree with your points there. In terms of your priorities, I've taken very careful note, and I'm not sure that I know where the ad hoc funds to buy housing stock are going to come from.”
Energy efficiency · Energy performance of buildings · EU housing policy