The European Pillar of Social Rights: a step forward or an empty promise?

1. The European Pillar of Social Rights: a step forward or an empty promise? Clotilde Clark-Foulquier Project Coordinator Innsbruck, 21th May 2019

2. The EPSR • What is it? • What is in for HH? • What the EC claims it is • What it actually brings

3. What is the EPSR? Access to the labour market Fair working conditions Social protection & inclusion • Proclaimed by head of states • 20 key principles and rights • to support “fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems”

6. A political achievement • “Today we commit ourselves to a set of 20 principles and rights. From the right to fair wages to the right to health care; from lifelong learning, a better work-life balance and gender equality to minimum income: with the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU stands up for the rights of its citizens in a fast-changing world.” President Juncker on the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, 17 November 2017

7. So… what’s in for HH? • Access to shelter and services for social inclusion • A right to appropriate assistance and protection against forced eviction • Calling on the responsibility of public authorities to provide access to social housing or housing assistance

9. European Pillar of Social Rights EPSR, principle 19: CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, Art.34.3: Right to housing assistance, In order to combat social exclusion and poverty, the Union recognises and respects the right to social and housing assistance so as to ensure a decent existence for all those who lack sufficient resources, in accordance with the procedures laid down by Community law and national laws and practices. Right to housing and assistance for the homeless: 1. Access to social housing or housing assistance of good quality shall be provided for those in need. 2. Vulnerable people have the right to appropriate assistance and protection against forced eviction. 3. Adequate shelter and services shall be provided to the homeless in order to promote their social inclusion.

10. What the EC claims • Protection against eviction: provision of assistance and protection, such as affordable legal representation, advocacy and mediation; or protective measures, such as access to debt management schemes, to mitigate the risk of homelessness. • Establishes universal access to adequate shelters for everyone in a homeless situation.

11. EC recalls MS’s commitments • Commission Recommendation on the active inclusion of people excluded from the labour market : MS should provide services that are essential for supporting social inclusion policies, such as housing support and social housing. • Commission Recommendation on investing in children addresses the housing and living conditions of poor children. • The EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies recognises housing as a key area of intervention for the inclusion of disadvantaged Roma people.

12. EC’s “good example” • “Austria pursues a supply-orientated housing strategy with focus on rental tenure.” • (i) mobilising of land and introducing planning obligations or land use regulation (e.g. "urban development agreements"); • (ii) reducing production costs by adapting standards within the subsidized sector (which usually are more ambitious than those set in the building acts); • (iii) introducing special offers of affordable housing; e.g. housing with reduced amenities (without underground parking lots, elevators or balconies) or housing with reduced floor space but optimized floor plans.

13. EC says it brings: Opportunities for EU funds A political hook Implementation at national level Monitoring within the semester OMC to monitor progress of MS • European Fund for Strategic Investments for social housing investments, • European Regional Development Fund for housing and social infrastructure, • European Social Fund for social services • Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived for food assistance to homeless persons

14. What does it really bring? • Sets a direction for MS: • MS invited to adopt measures, (national, regional or local housing): • cash and in-kind, to support universal and rapid access to shelter for people in all kinds of emergency situations • to enhance the coverage and the capacity of enabling social services in order to give effect to the principle.

16. Reality is: • The Pillar constitutes a reference framework to monitor the employment and social performance of Member States, to drive reforms at national level and to serve as a compass for a renewed process of convergence across Europe

17. 2.Not legally binding Not a directive Does not trigger any sanction on MS if not implemented

18. 3.However… An agenda setter Report on H in Europe Peer review on homelessness Hosted by Belgium Focus on reference addresses for homeless people To take place in the autumn • European Social Policy Network • Plan for the new EC • 28 country report + EU analysis • Scope: data & policy analysis • September • Launch..?

19. Many plans ESF conference CSWD An important public document setting the agenda for the EC on a particular issue 1st since Investment package (2013) Multi DG initiative led by DG EMPL September/ launch ..feb? • 21st May • Workshop on homelessness

20. SPC thematic review on homelessness Research on prevention of homelessness Part of EASI work programme 2020 To be tendered • One day meeting of SPC devoted to h. • Basis for discussion will be Finnish homelessness strategy • 1st ever in-depth discussion from SPC on the issue • October 2019 • Follow-up?

21. Finnish inspiration Study trip to Helsinki On homelessness For relevant EC DGs 10-11th July Experts + probably “Finnish Day” • 17th June • Juha • Focus on basic income & homelessness • Audience: EC staff • Initiative of Finish desk

22. Finnish presidency opportunity EPSCO Council Conclusion • On homelessness • To focus on effective national strategies incl. strong cost-benefit argument • Part of the F. presdcy work on well-being • Autumn 2019

23. = European commission interservice coordination group on homelessness and housing

24. Launched in May 2019 • Result of common lobbying of FEANTSA & EPSC • 12 DGs involved (EMPL, REGIO, SANTE, HOME, JUST, ECFIN) • Backing from EU commissioner Thyssen, DG EMPL director general J. Koorte

25. ISCG HH to do what? Will coordinate and oversee all activities mentioned above And, possibly: Training ESF country desks/managing authorities (200 000 eur, DG EMPL) Training ERDF managing authorities on housing first (REGIO) Scoping research on health & homelessness • DG ECFIN seminar on investing in affordable housing • LGBTQI survey with question on experience of homelessness (FRA/DG JUST) • Preparatory Action Housing Solutions Platform (EP) • …

26. Strategy ISCG HH New DG EMPL Commission to launch an action plan ISCG HH responsible for its implementation over 5 years • Get to know each other • Understand potential of HH as a EU topic • Link with stakeholders • Get political support for action • A concrete EU work plan for new Commission

27. Likely initial stream of work EU Funds European Semester Focus on development of national homelessness strategies Monitoring & guidance from EC • EU funds & investment spent on H • Capacity building by EC

28. Risks • HH: divert to housing • Stakeholders involvement & FEANTSA’s role • Weak leadership in DG EMPL

29. Conclusion Not legally binding on MS An Agenda setter at EU level Can drive EC internal dynamics 1st time ever H. so high on agenda Future NRP (empl guidelines) • No impact on MS

30. Don’t kill it by asking too much of it • As close as we will get to an EU homelessness strategy • 2019: a new political context?

31. Thank you!

32. Some questions? • In general do you believe the EU has had a positive impact on Austrian social policies? • Is Austrian current housing policy in line with an implementation of the EPSR? • Have you seen a positive impact of the EPSR over the past year? (NRP) • How do you believe the EPSR can influence the Austrian policy context?