Europe is going through a housing crisis. Lower and middle-income families are priced out of gentrifying neighbourhoods. Homelessness is becoming endemic in most urban centres. People are dispossessed of their cities as the financial sector speculates, turning what should be a right for everyone into a financial asset.
However, opportunities to revert this trend do exist. Despite the bleak situation, in fact, there is room for positive action at every level, from civil society to the local, national and supranational institutions. Citizens can claim back their city and secure land for affordable housing by implementing locally the so-called Community Land Trust model; associations and municipalities can put in place systems where housing is used as a way out of homelessness; and the EU institutions have at their disposal fiscal and financial tools that can promote long-term visions for affordable living in the city for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
In this dossier, the Progressive Post is looking at opportunities for change, inspiration from the doers and perspectives for the future. A future where the city is a common good where everyone can live, work and thrive, no matter their social class.
