The aim was to bring participants’ own experiences, professional and lived, directly to the people shaping EU housing policy, and to discuss how European policies can better support social inclusion and access to affordable housing for young people.
The policy dialogue took place with:
- Sergio Pérez Barranco, Policy Officer, FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless)
- Alex Quinn, Policy Officer for Social and Economic Inclusion, European Youth Forum
- Agnese Papadia, cabinet of Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing
- Regina Doherty, MEP (Fine Gael, EPP), Vice-Chair of the Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS)
After introductions, participants split into two groups for a focus-group style discussion. Some of the inputs that come from the session included:
- Affordability, not supply. Young people said they feel unable to take care of themselves and powerless to care for their future families. Homes exist but are too expensive to buy or rent.
- Security with opportunity. A youth worker from Finglas, shared her experience as a former care leaver that now lived in social housing. She said she would lose her home (and security) if she left to take up a short-term opportunity, which carries an extra risk.
- Youth workers are affected too. Professionals described supporting young people while struggling with their own housing.
