Buildings are responsible for 36 per cent of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions
In 2020 in the European Union (EU), 700,000 people slept in the street or in shelters each night, an increase of 70% in the past 10 years
17.5% of people lived in an overcrowded household and 7.4% of people in the EU were unable to keep their home adequately warm.
The estimated number of people sleeping rough in the EU increased by around 70 per cent between 2010 and 2020
Europe faces a myriad of pressing housing challenges, such as soaring property prices, increasing homelessness, and a lack of affordable housing exacerbating social inequalities. The EU has set ambitious climate targets that, if not carefully enacted, could push the cost of housing even higher. These challenges demand urgent attention and transformative solutions that consider health and climate outcomes, not just financial ones. A human rights-based approach is crucial, necessitating policies that prioritize accessible, secure, and affordable housing for all. Governments must tackle homelessness, strengthen social housing initiatives, and regulate real estate markets to curb speculation. The Shift’s advocacy for the human rights framework is particularly relevant in the European context, where a rights-based framework can drive impactful, equitable changes to address these critical housing issues.
Student housing used to be affordable. Why has it become an ‘asset class’ to enrich the already wealthy?
Housing, Human Rights, and Climate Change
Collective Courage: Madrid’s Tenants Demand Their Right
The Bologna Blueprint: An Inspirational Housing Story
My Home is an Asset Class – w/ Kim Van Sparrentak, Member of European Parliament
We’re actively seeking partnerships with organizations dedicated to creating positive, lasting change in Europe. Reach out to us to explore partnership opportunities and contribute to a future where housing is a fundamental human right.
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