For the first time, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit responded directly to the call of the European Parliament to revise the EU Public Procurement Directive.
The lack of affordable housing is affecting more than 80 million people in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic made the situation even worse, with an increasing number of people struggling to pay their rent or energy bill. But what comes just at the surface has longer structural reasons, rooted in more profound housing inequalities and which risk jeopardise the very essence of our society.Â
Housing is a human right that must be guaranteed to everybody.
For a socially just and sustainable recovery, we need to make sure that every citizen benefits from decent, affordable and sustainable housing.
Progressive cities and regions have already put in place innovative solutions that can inspire further action on the ground. At the same time, we need a proper European framework. Leaving no one behind means first of all leaving no one without a roof over their head.