About: homelessness

Will the Renovation Wave leave Europe’s poorest on the shore?

Across Europe, 50 million households struggle with energy poverty stemming from low incomes, high energy bills, poor energy efficiency, as well as inadequate housing. The EU’s Renovation Wave, a ‘flagship’ of the European Green Deal, provides a unique opportunity to tackle Europe’s inadequate housing while contributing to EU climate targets, writes Anna Kompatscher.

Homelessness cannot be just another ‘Fact of Life’ in the EU

Homelessness is increasing across the EU. It's time for the Commission and governments to turn the tide, write Nicolas Schmit, Ana Mendes Godinho and Yves Leterme.

Commission should launch infringement procedure against UK for abuse of EU free movement rights

Mattia Bosio and Mauro Striano argue that the European Commission should sanction the UK for criminalising homelessness as a way to avoid its obligations regarding free movement in the EU.

Homelessness and housing exclusion have reached crisis levels in EU

With rising homelessness and housing deprivation across the European Union, now, more than ever, is the time for the Juncker Commission to bridge the disconnect with its most vulnerable citizens, writes Chloé Serme-Morin.

EU must tackle homelessness to achieve SDGs

In order to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, Europe has to leave homelessness – not homeless people – behind, writes Ruth Owen.

European housing crisis: Left out in the cold

Homelessness is on the rise, and people at risk of poverty face growing difficulties in getting and keeping housing, write Ruth Owen and Marc Uhry.

Helping the homeless is not a political choice

Athens this week defied the Commission by enacting new social inclusion measures for the homeless. But denying Greek citizens their fundamental right to housing assistance would be a breach of EU law, argue Freek Spinnewijn and Marc Uhry. 

Homes, not spikes, are the answer to homelessness

Amidst the ‘spikes’ scandal meant to drive away homeless people from public spaces, Freek Spinnewijn calls for “more affordable housing that is accessible for homeless people, who have the right to a decent place to live as much as the next person.”

Building Blocks: What housing can do for Europe

In the interest of jobs and growth, of social justice and financial stability, of all the challenges Europe is faced with, the next European Commission and the European Parliament need to take up the housing issue with ambition and creativity, write Freek Spinnewijn and Marc Uhry.

Criminalising homelessness is anti-democratic and instigates hatred

In the past several years, more and more people have been forced to use desperate means of survival, such as begging, living in slums or going through rubbish bins looking for food or items they can recycle or sell. But now, people who resort to these survival tactics face punishment and arrest, say Freek Spinnewijn and Marc Uhry.

Member states urged to eradicate homelessness

The EU should encourage member states to work towards ending homelessness and ensuring decent housing for all. So says a group of social policy experts, who are calling on the European Commission to develop an EU-level strategy for tackling homelessness.