Affordable housing: 601 MEPs call for more EU funds
Affordable homes, better transport and healthcare: the European Parliament wants more EU funding to help people stay in the places they call home. Meeting in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday, 20 October, MEPs approve the call by 601 votes to 20, with 36 abstentions. It comes as EU member states discuss the next budget, covering 2028 to 2034.
Homes and services close to home
Parliament wants the “right to stay” to guide how the next budget is spent. The idea is that people should be able to live and work where they choose to make their home, particularly in places losing population.
MEPs want EU funding to support affordable housing, jobs, transport, healthcare and other essential services. For housing, they propose backing public and social homes, renovating buildings and bringing empty properties back into use.
Cities want a say in the funding
The resolution calls for local and regional authorities to have more say over spending priorities. It also seeks less paperwork for cities applying for funds, especially smaller and medium-sized ones.
Tourism has a place in the plan too: MEPs say it should support local businesses without harming residents’ quality of life. They also want funding to help cities prepare for extreme weather and rising temperatures.
For now, this is Parliament’s request, not a promise of money for any particular project. Member states are still discussing how to shape the next EU budget.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com