EU – Homelessness – Gender Perspectives – Conference Analysis
Author: Womens UN Report Network
Date: October 6, 2015
WUNRN
HOMELESS IN EUROPE – GENDER
PERSPECTIVES
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European Women’s Lobby
EU – HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING
RIGHTS – CRISES – POVERTY – GENDER
[EAPN,
Brussels, 11 May 2012] On 10-11 May 2012 the 11th European Meeting of People
Experiencing Poverty addressed the question of Homelessness and Housing Rights
in the Context of the Crisis.
The meeting brought together over 150 people with personal experience of
poverty and homelessness from 30 European countries. The Meeting was an
occasion for an exchange of views and experiences on how to ensure that people
experiencing poverty can have access to adequate, affordable and energy
efficient housing and accommodation. On behalf of the Danish Presidency of the
Council of the European Union, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Social Affairs
and Integration, Jesper Brask Fischer, opened the 11th European Meeting of
People Experiencing Poverty. Mr Fischer stated that during the current economic
crisis, the most vulnerable groups in our societies face some of the toughest
consequences. The Danish Presidency therefore welcomed the opportunity to have
a debate on homelessness and housing rights with people experiencing poverty or
homelessness. Only homeless people know how it feels to be homeless – or what
kind of help homeless people need. They are the experts on their own lives.
László Andor Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
emphasized that it is an important meeting at a very critical time because
today is not a usual situation. Elections recently show that Europe has to
change course and cannot go on with this austerity policy. We have to find a
smarter way for fiscal consolidation. This is the time to say it loud: your red
card has to be shown to all involved. We have an EU2020 target to fight poverty
that we collectively need to comply with. The European reality is increasingly
diverse and divided. There are even parts where performance on employment and
social protection has been improving. But also because of demographic trends,
economic growth will not return as in the past. We have a deficit of solidarity
and we need to restore it at the European level.
As concerns combating homelessness, what we do is identifying the causes,
recognise best practices and spread innovative approaches like the Housing
First. For the future financial period of 2012-2020, the Commission has
proposed that at least 20% of the total European Social Fund financing in each
Member State should be allocated for social inclusion. In terms of field of
intervention, it is housing, healthcare, human rights aspects, taking action
against criminalization of homelessness in the Member States. Homelessness is
also addressed through other antipoverty initiatives such as the Roma
integration framework or the upcoming Recommendation on child poverty.
On behalf of the delegations of people experiencing poverty, Sabrina Emilio,
from the Italian delegation gave a strong message “that it is time that the EU
leaders follow up their fine words about fighting poverty with concrete
actions”. To reinforce this message the delegations showed a red card to the
representatives of the EU Institutions to say that they have had enough of the
measures to combat the economic crisis that are only creating more poverty and
social exclusion. Ms Emilio concluded by saying “that the future of Europe
depends on the EU leaders hearing this message and developing a real EU
Inclusion Strategy that has meaningful actions at local, national and European
levels ensuring access to housing and the financial means to live a dignified
life for all Europeans”.
During the conference, the delegates debated and exchanged views with EU and
national decision-makers focusing on three key questions:
- In relation to homelessness and housing rights what are
the key differences that can be seen in 2012 as compared to 2008? - From the experience of the delegates and the
preparation work for the meeting what are the ‘good and bad practices’ in
relation to addressing homelessness and housing rights that have been
identified? - How can policies be designed to best address homelessness
and housing in a way that is adapted to the different needs and realities
of different individuals and communities and can ensure equality in access
to homeless services and housing rights?
The 11th European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty was organised by
the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and The European
Commission, with the assistance of the EAPN and FEANTSA and hosted in The
Egmont Palace courtesy of the Belgian Government.
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