The European Union should play a greater role in tackling homelessness and affordable housing across Europe, according to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien.
Ahead of a meeting in Brussels with the EU Commissioner on Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmidt, Mr O’Brien said there had been a 70% increase in homelessness across the EU in the past ten years.
This is despite the Lisbon Declaration, under which the EU aimed to eradicate homlessness by 2030.
"Is there anything that we can do more at European level, because every country is affected by this," he said.
"It is a societal issue that is shared by most of our European colleagues and one which can be addressed."
He said: "We have got to work closer together. And we've got to share knowledge, experience and best practice. We have got to look at the potential in the future of what role the European Union, or the European Investment Bank (EIB) might have in investing in social housing."
The minister will update the Commission on the Government’s housing plan, and will meet social housing and homelessness NGOs in Brussels. He will also meet Irish MEPs on the issue.
He said the Government was investing €20 billion between now and 2026 under the Affordable Housing Act, and had had a lot of contact with the Commission ahead of the legislation.
"This was about what would work around potential pitfalls that may be there and to help us through that process," he said.
He said that while some countries like Denmark and Finland were leading the way in investing in social housing, other former leaders like the Netherlands and Austria were experiencing a rise in homelessness.
Mr O’Brien said the Government was aiming to deliver 9,000 new build social homes this year and on average 10,000 between now and 2030.
The French Presidency of the EU will host a summit on homelessness and social inclusion on 28 February.
Asked about the prospect of Sinn Féin capitalising electorally the housing issue ahead of the next election, Minister O’Brien said: "The next election is three years away. My job, and the government's job, is to deliver, and the housing plan we have published is a very detailed, very clear and very transparent plan that is backed by real money on a multi-annual basis for the first time ever."
