“A Europe without access to housing is a failed Europe”

A socialist MEP Isilda Gomes said today that a Europe where people cannot get a home is a 'failed Europe' which compromises the principles of democracy and equality that must guide the European Union.

'It is not a democratic Europe, it is not an equal Europe for everyone', said the MEP who is part of the European Parliament's Housing Committee together with the Social Democratic MEP Sebastian Bugalho.

The positions were expressed as part of the parliamentary days promoted today by the Socialist MEPs in Faro and Portimão, in the district of Faro, dedicated to affordable housing and European funding for the period 2028-2034.

The initiative, led by the MEP and former Minister of Health Marta Temido, brought together mayors, entrepreneurs, workers, young people and students, addressing topics such as student accommodation, delays in the execution of projects financed by European funds and proposals to facilitate the access of young people to private rent.

For Isilda Gomes, the European Union must play a decisive role in the financing of public housing construction, as local authorities do not themselves have sufficient financial capacity to meet needs without compromising other competences.

"Access to housing is essential to ensure that people are able to live, work and build their future and regions", he said.

The MEP warned that municipal investment in house building can leave the chambers without resources for other areas, such as social action and population support, while the use of credit can also limit the indebtedness of the municipalities.

'My big bet is that there will be EU funds for public housing', he said, considering that without European funding and without the involvement of mayors, it will be difficult to solve the problems of access to housing.

Isilda Gomes also argued that each municipality should identify and select the projects most appropriate to the reality of the respective municipality, to find lasting responses to the housing crisis.

“We cannot continue to look the other way. We cannot continue to pretend," he said, warning the situation of young people who remain at their parents' homes until they are 30 years old because they are unable to access housing.

"Families must have their corner, they must have their space. This is fundamental in a democratic society", he added.

MEPs also argued that the European response should go beyond funding, including measures to combat real estate speculation, considering that the problem of affordable housing requires direct EU intervention.

Among the proposals of the Socialists and Democrats Group (S&D) is the creation of a European guarantee system for young tenants and the strengthening of housing grants in the Erasmus+ programme in the next multiannual financial framework 2028/2034.