Depaul International welcomes the adoption of the European Council Recommendation on Fighting Housing Exclusion and Homelessness as an important step forward in the EU’s response to homelessness. We welcome the recognition of homelessness as a distinct and severe form of housing exclusion, with a strong emphasis on prevention, housing-led approaches, including Housing First, and access to permanent housing. We also welcome its recognition of the need for integrated, person-centred approaches, alongside greater investment in social housing and support services. These are important principles for moving away from crisis responses and towards long-term solutions that prevent and end homelessness.
The Recommendation provides a valuable framework for Member States to strengthen their national responses to homelessness. Its success will depend on whether these commitments translate into practical action through well resourced national homelessness strategies, including investment in prevention and support services, and improved access to social housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Cross-country cooperation, learning and promotion of good practices will also be key given the cross-border nature of homelessness across Europe.
The adoption of the Recommendation is a welcome milestone and an opportunity to build on the commitments made through the Lisbon Declaration and the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness. The Recommendation lays the groundwork for Member States to look to EU financial support under the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework for investment in homelessness prevention and response, and we urge Member States to prioritise this within requests for assistance. We look forward to working with our member organisations, national governments and European partners to support its implementation.