Despite the “challenging geopolitical landscape,” António Costa emphasized the importance of addressing the “daily concerns of citizens” within the EU.
In a joint press conference with the presidents of the European Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, Belgium, António Costa stated that failing to resolve this issue will lead to “negative consequences,” impacting competitiveness and trust in institutions.
Consequently, the issue of access to housing, exacerbated by rising rental and purchase prices beyond family means, will be discussed for the first time at a European Council meeting on Thursday.
The President of the European Council promised “various solutions” for “various causes.”
Although housing is a competence of each country in the European Union, António Costa noted that the problem can be addressed with an EU-level approach, pointing to the plan being developed by the European Commission.
“Despite being a matter of national jurisdiction, it is crucial that, as European leaders, we discuss how we can complement efforts,” he argued.
When asked about the specific role the European Union, as a community bloc, can play, António Costa noted that the “first contribution will be to give more leeway for national authorities” to address this problem by considering concrete realities and utilizing European funds, for example.
If countries wish to invest in “short-term rentals, it is necessary to provide them with tools to facilitate this,” he asserted.
