Mayors of 30 major European cities have signed the Vienna “Resolution for Social Housing in Europe” where it is stated that housing, especially social housing, is a clear issue for the member states, demanding the current EU-legislation to be changed in line with the principle of subsidization.
Mayor Michael Häupl and City Councillor for Housing Michael Ludwig led an EU initiative to leave the definition of social housing and the decision on the type of provision to the individual EU member states and their regional and local authorities. The initiative was motivated among other things by a series of negative examples: Sweden discontinued its well-functioning housing subsidy system without any replacement. In the Netherlands, income limits were lowered to such an extent that only population groups with particularly low incomes have access to social housing.
Vienna’s model of promoting a well-balanced social mix is a showcase for the city’s continuously successful housing policy. In contrast to many other European cities, in Vienna a resident’s social status cannot be inferred from his or her home address. This good social balance forms the basis of harmonious social co-existence and prevents segregation tendencies. 60% of Vienna’s citizens live in subsidised housing. If this housing was only reserved for low-income groups, the majority of the Viennese would not have access to affordable and safe accommodation.
Vienna’s Mayor Michael Häupl (SPÖ) therefore created a resolution for social housing, as this has a long tradition, in particular in Austria. In the meantime, 30 mayors from 30 large European cities, have signed this resolution. The cities are aware of the importance of socially-oriented urban development and call on the European Commission to leave the definition of social housing and the decision relating to the types of provision to the member states and their local and regional authorities.