’Ending Homelessness is Possible’ event and exhibition

Ending homelessness is possible! How can the EU effectively contribute to the fight against homelessness?

The event will involve a hearing and debate for the launch of the FEANTSA ‘Ending Homelessness’ campaign and of Ending Homelessness: A Handbook for Policy Makers. It will be followed by the opening of an exhibition of sculptures of homeless people by the Danish artist Jens Galschiøt.

Speakers include:
 László Andor, Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion;
 Liz Lynne MEP (ALDE UK);
 Britta Thomsen MEP (S&D DK);
 Karima Delli MEP (Greens/EFA FR);
 Ilda Figueiredo MEP (GUE PT);
 Jacek Protasiewicz MEP (EPP PL);
 Phillipe Courard, Belgian Secretary of State for Social Integration and the Fight against Poverty;
 Eric Marlier, International Senior Advisor CEPS/INSTEAD and René Kneip, FEANTSA President.

The event will take place on:

Wednesday 14th April 2010, 3pm-6pm European Parliament, Room 4Q1 (Registration at A. Spinelli Entrance from 2pm)

To register, please fill in the registration form and send it to odette.peinado@feantsa.org or by fax to +32 (0)2 538 66 69 by 1st April 2010.

Context:

This event comes at a crucial time for homelessness in the EU and represents a valuable opportunity for debate and discussion with key players at European level. Homelessness is now established on the EU agenda as a political priority, and this event is a moment to capitalize on recent progress on the issue.

In 2009 the Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion stated that ‘sustained work is required to tackle homelessness as an extremely serious form of exclusion.’ Furthermore, the OMC on social protection and social inclusion had homelessness and housing exclusion as a thematic priority in 2009. Member States submitted national reports on homelessness and housing exclusion. Based on analysis of these reports, the 2010 Joint Report, which will be adopted at the forthcoming European Council meeting on 25 and 26 March, calls on Member States to develop integrated strategies to tackle homelessness.

At the end of 2009, the EU Network of independent experts on social inclusion produced a report on homelessness and housing exclusion in the EU Member States, providing concrete recommendations on the way forward.

The European Parliament has taken a number of important initiatives on homelessness, including a Written Declaration on Ending Street Homelessness adopted in 2008. The Declaration calls on the Council to agree on an EU-wide commitment to end street homelessness by 2015, calls on the Commission to provide annual updates on action taken and progress made in EU Member States towards ending homelessness and urges Member States to devise "winter emergency plans" as part of wider homelessness strategies.

2010 is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The key objectives of the year are to raise public awareness and renew the political commitment of the EU and its Member States to combating poverty and social exclusion. It is thus a potential turning point for policy progress on homelessness and related issues – a unique opportunity for EU level action to facilitate effective policies to end homelessness.

For more information, and for details of other upcoming FEANTSA events, please see www.feantsa.org.