Colleagues, Madam Chair,

I appreciated your closing remark everybody deserves a place to call home, which I agree with.

Today, we are in the house of European democracy.

Across Europe, we have many words for our homes: maison, casa, dom, or as in my home country hus. These words mean the same: a home offers security, warmth, and shelter; a place for friends and family to gather.

But for many Europeans, it means worry, debt, and crisis.

Too many Europeans have no place to call home. A report last year estimated around 400,000 children in Europe are homeless. They live on streets, sleep in shelters, or stay in temporary housing.

This is deeper than a supply and demand crisis. It is a moral crisis, striking at the heart of Europe.

We must deliver more affordable housing. In 2023, 1 in 10 Europeans spent 40% or more of their income on housing and costs.

This affects nurses, teachers, police officers, and firefighters. They enrich our lives but cannot afford a home. Young people cannot pursue education or start families because they lack housing.

We must also deliver more sustainable housing. In 2023, 47 million people in the EU could not heat their homes.

By making households more energy-efficient, we lower the carbon footprint and living costs.

And we must deliver more decent housing. Its not just about quantity, but also quality.

We need to invest in decent, accessible, and durable houses, well-connected to local infrastructure – for health, education, services, and resources.

Inspiration comes from the New European Bauhaus, promoting sustainable and inclusive buildings.

The Commission has established a task force. The Parliament has a special committee. We work with member states and local authorities to identify Europes added value.

Tackling bottleneck rules and issues like short-term rentals and speculation. Helping member states increase housing supply and make the most of existing stock.

Last month, we launched our Affordable Energy Action Plan. This plan strengthens the security, sustainability, and affordability of our energy system.

Our first steps are towards a pan-European investment platform for sustainable and affordable housing with the EIB.

Today, we launch the Affordable Housing Dialogue, here in the European Parliament.

This marks 2025 as a year of engagement and outreach.

Tomorrow, we hear from the industry at the High-Level Construction Forum. Throughout the year, we will host meetings on short-term rentals, regulation, investments, homelessness, and housing for people with disabilities.

We launch calls for evidence and public consultations: on state aids and the Affordable Housing Plan. Please contribute!

Preparations for our Affordable Housing Plan are strengthened by a Housing Advisory Board of independent experts.

Theres a carpenters saying: “Measure twice, cut once.” Lets talk twice, thrice, today, tomorrow, and throughout the year.

When we deliver an Affordable Housing Plan for Europe, we do it right and with all Europeans on board.

Honourable Members, dear colleagues,

Today, we are in the house of European democracy.

But the foundations of this house are rooted in homes across Europe. If these homes are not stable or secure, neither is our democracy.

Lets work together: for affordable, sustainable, and decent housing for our citizens; to support the people who strengthen our communities – the teachers and the nurses; the police officers and the firefighters.

Lets work to bring European democracy home – to every home, whether you call it a dom or a casa, a maison or et hus.

Thank you!