International Conference Aims to Tackle Europe’s Growing Homelessness Crisis
Human Rights Approach at Forefront of December Conference in Strasbourg
With approximately 1.3 million people experiencing homelessness in Europe, a critical conference will convene in Strasbourg on December 3rd. The Meeting, “Addressing Homelessness through Social Investment,” will bring together policymakers, social leaders, experts, and financial actors from across the continent, aiming to develop human rights-based solutions to this pressing issue.
The Council of Europe, in partnership with the Council of Europe Development Bank, is organizing this crucial gathering. They acknowledge that homelessness is a complex problem exacerbated by rising economic challenges, housing shortages, social exclusion, increased migration, and other systemic factors.
“The Council of Europe’s response to this challenge is necessarily a human rights-based one: people facing homelessness, especially the most vulnerable, have to be helped, not penalized. They must be understood and not become victims of indifference or, worse, stereotypes,” asserted Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law in a statement prior to the conference. “The path forward involves urgent, coordinated efforts at both local and international levels to ensure that homelessness is reduced and eventually eliminated, making housing a right accessible to all.”
Tomáš Boček, Vice-Governor for Target Group Countries at the Council of Europe Development Bank, emphasized the importance of sustainable financing models for lasting impact. “CEB’s social mandate emphasizes social and affordable housing, including finding permanent housing solutions for the homeless. CEB’s operations have shown that prioritising sustainable, long-term funding and adopting appropriate financing models is essential for the long-term success of housing-led solutions”, Boček outlined in his statement.
## Sharing Perspective, Sharing Solutions
This conference is being livestreamed and offers a timely opportunity for sharing and analyzing current trends in homelessness across Europe. It aims to identify impactful housing strategies and social investments that can bring about lasting change. Representatives from local authorities and organizations actively combating homelessness will present practical solutions, with housing-led initiatives taking center stage.
The focus will be on “housing first” approaches, which promote immediate access to stable housing without requiring individuals to meet specific prerequisites, treating housing as a fundamental right vital to individual well-being and a steppingstone towards stable lives. Special emphasis will be placed on sharing experiences from France, Germany, and the Slovak Republic, showcasing grassroots successes in battling homelessness through innovative solutions.
The Council of Europe Development Bank has recently published a discussion paper exploring innovative financing solutions for housing. The paper, which focuses on France and Portugal, highlights the vital role finance can play in creating effective and sustainable solutions to address the ongoing crisis.
## Collaborative Solutions for a European Challenge
This conference is supported by the European Union’s InvestEU Advisory Hub, underscoring the regional recognition of the severity of the homelessness crisis and the need for collaborative solutions.
Among the key figures presenting at the conference are known advocates for affordable access to housing. Aurora Floridia, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rapporteur on Analysis and guidelines to guarantee the right to housing and to decent housing will share her expertise on legal frameworks and human rights frameworks around homelessness. Jimmy Moloney, the Congress of Local and Regional Authoritiesby the European Union under the InvestEU Advisory Hub Rapporteur on Social Housing, offers insight into regional policies and implementation challenges.Johannes Böhmer, Vice-Governor for Social Development Strategy at the Council of Europe Development Bank will provide the financing perspectives to address the current crises.
Responses to this crisis must be grounded in international standards.
“Europe and the council of Europe”s Commitment to the Right to Housing
Responses to homelessness, according to several key players participating in the event, must be formulated and implemented by states and other stakeholders based on standards set
by the Council of Europe. These Standards, outlined in the European Social Charter, guarantee the right to housing and require states to take concrete steps to prevent and gradually eliminate homelessness.
James B will be leading a discussion on addressing housing needs for this vulnerable community.
Are there any successful “housing first” programs from European countries that will be discussed at the conference?
## Interview: Tackling Europe’s Homelessness Crisis
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the critical issue of homelessness in Europe and an upcoming conference aiming to address it. Joining us is [**Guest Name**], a leading expert on housing policy and social inclusion.
[**Guest Name**], thanks for joining us. The Council of Europe is hosting a major conference in Strasbourg on December 3rd dedicated to tackling this growing crisis. Can you tell us more about the conference and its goals?
**Guest:** Absolutely. The conference, “Addressing Homelessness Through Social Investment,” is bringing together a wide range of stakeholders – policymakers, social leaders, experts, and even financial institutions – to find concrete solutions to the homelessness crisis in Europe.
As we know, this is a complex issue. Recent data [[1](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(23)00224-4/fulltext)]suggests that nearly 900,000 people are experiencing homelessness on any given night.
The conference aims to shift the conversation towards a human rights-based approach, recognizing that people experiencing homelessness are not to be penalized but instead need support and understanding.
**Host:** That’s a crucial point. There seems to be a growing emphasis on “housing first” approaches, can you elaborate on that?
**Guest:** Exactly. “Housing first” prioritizes getting individuals into stable housing without preconditions. This approach recognizes that housing is a fundamental right and a foundational step towards addressing other challenges, like unemployment, addiction, or mental health issues.
**Host:** What are some of the practical solutions that will be discussed at the conference?
**Guest:** The conference will be showcasing successful “housing first” programs from countries like France, Germany, and the Slovak Republic. It will also explore innovative financing models, emphasizing the importance of long-term, sustainable investment in social housing [[2](https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/the-future-of-social-investment-in-europe)]. This is essential to ensure lasting solutions rather than simply addressing the symptoms.
**Host:** This conference sounds incredibly important. Where can our viewers learn more and follow the discussions?
**Guest:** The conference will be livestreamed, allowing wider participation and access to valuable insights. More information can be found on the Council of Europe website and social media platforms.
**Host:** Thank you, [**Guest Name**], for shedding light on this critical issue and the solutions being explored. This conference is a vital step towards creating a more just and equitable society for everyone.
