First-Ever EU Housing Report Passed in Strasbourg – Ó Ríordáin Says Europe Must “Deliver on Civil Rights Issue of Our Generation”
First-Ever EU Housing Report Passed in Strasbourg – Ó Ríordáin Says Europe Must “Deliver on Civil Rights Issue of Our Generation” - The Labour Party
The European Parliament today adopted its first-ever report dedicated entirely to housing, marking a major step in bringing the housing crisis onto the EU agenda. Labour MEP for Dublin Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who led negotiations for the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) Group and was the only Irish MEP in the negotiating room, said the report represents a breakthrough in recognising that housing affordability, tenant protection and homelessness are European challenges requiring European solutions.
Speaking from Strasbourg, he said:
“Today in the European Parliament I spoke about baby Declan*. He is sleeping in a cot beside my own daughter Róisín in hospital. In many ways Declan is similar to Róisín, but unlike her, Declan has been born into homelessness and will begin his life in emergency accommodation. He is one of 4,000 homeless children in Dublin and nearly 400,000 across Europe. These figures should shame us and they demand action at every level – local, national and European.
“For too long people were told the European Union could not – and should not – act on housing. Today we have proven that wrong. During the election campaign I promised that Labour would fight to put the housing crisis in Dublin on the EU agenda, and thanks to our work in the S&D Group, we have delivered the first-ever EU housing report. It sends a clear message that the EU must respond to the civil rights issue of our generation.
“This report makes clear that public authorities need the resources to act. That means investment so councils and local authorities can build the homes communities need. Housing markets across Europe are broken and they will not fix themselves. Europe must support the investment needed to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
“The report also calls for stronger tenant protections. Ireland is among the worst performers in Europe when it comes to renters’ rights, and this report can be the first step in lifting the floor for tenants in Ireland and across Europe.
“We also address drivers of the crisis such as short-term rentals. We cannot accept a situation where, as is increasingly common in Dublin, families are forced to live in hotels while tourists stay in homes. Cities must have the tools to regulate short-term rentals where they put pressure on housing supply.
“This Parliament has also made clear that homelessness – especially child homelessness – must be confronted. There should be no more Declans in Europe and no child should ever be evicted into homelessness. Our report calls on Member States to take measures to prevent the eviction of families with children and ensure every child has a safe place to live.
“For Dublin and for cities across Europe, today’s vote is a turning point. It shows that when people say the EU cannot act on housing, they are wrong. Europe can act – and today it has taken the first step.”
*Name changed to protect privacy.