Affordable and sustainable housing in the European Union will be discussed at the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Housing, taking place on 11 and 12 May in Nicosia under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The meeting will be chaired by the Minister of the Interior, Constantinos Ioannou, in the presence of the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, and with the participation of European Ministers responsible for housing matters, representatives of EU institutions and organisations, and key stakeholders from the housing sector, according to an announcement by the Ministry of the Interior.
“The meeting reflects the commitment of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU to place affordable, sustainable and decent housing high on the European agenda,” the announcement said. “At a time when housing systems across the European Union are facing increasing pressure due to rising costs, structural shortages and demographic challenges, the meeting aims to promote dialogue, strengthen cooperation and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and resilient housing landscape across all Member States,” it adds.
It is noted that, during the first part of the meeting, Ministers will exchange views on ways to address the administrative and regulatory obstacles that cause delays in the development and renovation of housing across Member States. “Particular emphasis will be placed on simplifying licensing procedures, improving coordination among the competent authorities and harnessing digitalisation to enhance efficiency and predictability, while at the same time maintaining high standards in environmental protection, spatial planning and social inclusion,” the announcement said.
The second part of the meeting, according to the announcement, will focus on ways to address the significant investment gap in the housing sector across the EU. During the discussion, participants will examine ways to strengthen cooperation between public and private actors, as well as improve access to financing and increase investment in affordable and sustainable housing projects, including renovation and energy efficiency measures, it adds.
“European Ministers will further examine how best to utilise existing and future European financing instruments, such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, cohesion funds and the forthcoming Pan-European Investment Platform, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness and impact of housing policies across the Union,” the announcement continues.
It is noted that the Informal Ministerial Meeting will serve as a platform for encouraging dialogue, enabling participants to exchange national experiences, identify common challenges and promote coordinated approaches to improving the affordability, sustainability and accessibility of housing for all citizens.
(Source: CNA)
