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The Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament with a firm call from Lisbon: affordable housing is a basic human right!
In the Portuguese capital, Kristian Vigenin and Tsvetelina Penkova took part in a series of meetings and events on the deepening housing crisis in Europe.
“Affordable housing is a basic human right, not a privilege.” With this firm call and commitment the Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament came out in Lisbon, Portugal. The European socialists gathered to hear the voice of young people, civil society and local progressive forces on one of the most painful topics of modern Europe, the housing crisis. They adopted a declaration making concrete commitments to defend the right to housing.
The document sets out a road map with concrete measures and legislative initiatives in defence of the right to housing: ending speculation in real estate; regulating short-term rentals; protecting tenants and vulnerable groups; encouraging access to ownership for people on low and middle incomes and for first-time buyers; eradicating homelessness; increasing public investment in affordable, decent and energy-efficient housing. The declaration stresses that a sustainable and fair housing policy cannot be achieved without the active involvement of local and regional authorities.
Security starts with social security
The Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists is firm in its position that security is not only a question of defence, that it starts with solidarity, quality jobs, strong social protection and a decent life, including an affordable home. The head of the Delegation Kristian Vigenin said: “The right to housing is a question of human dignity, not of market logic. The housing crisis recognises no borders, it affects millions of Europeans. That is why we socialists and democrats insist on real and fair solutions: more investment in social housing, protection for tenants, strict rules against speculation and a clear European policy that puts people at the centre, not the markets.” During the visit, the international secretary of the BSP National Council and member of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists Tsvetelina Penkova stressed: “It is our duty to guarantee affordable housing for every young family. BSP consistently defends these policies at national level, and we will work for their application at European level too!”
As a result of the long-standing efforts of the socialists and democrats, the European Commission now has the first commissioner in history with a housing portfolio, as a sign of increased institutional engagement, and the European Parliament has set up a special committee on the housing crisis, which makes it possible for the challenges in the housing sector to find solutions and enter the European legislative framework.
You can download the full Declaration from the button below:
