Traduction de «Minister for Housing and Energy » (Anglais → Français) :

73. Points out that the housing sector is among those that offers the greatest potential for energy savings; stresses that, in the medium and long term, provided that the costs of making housing more energy efficient do not outweigh the energy savings made, energy efficiency measures should in the first instance serve to increase the purchasing power of households and improve their quality of life; emphasises that these measures ...[+++]will also lead to a reduction in carbon emissions, create jobs, support the local economy and reduce healthcare expenditure;

1. Notes that, as a result of the current economic and social crisis, on its own the market is increasingly incapable of meeting the need for affordable homes, in particular in densely populated urban areas, and that rising housing and energy costs are aggravating the risks of disease, poverty and social exclusion; notes the increase in several Member States in the number of evictions and properties seized by banks; urges that measures be taken in response to these challenges; is concerned about both the direct and the indirect impact of some austerity measures in the context of the current social and economic crisis – such as cuts in ...[+++] housing benefit and social services, the taxation of social housing providers, the cancellation of new housing projects and the selling off of parts of national social housing stocks – which could exacerbate a vicious circle of long-term social exclusion and segregation;

6. Improve energy efficiency in buildings Acting together, Member States and EU Institutions should take urgent measures to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock and public buildings and promote rapid take up of 'green' products: Member States should set demanding targets for ensuring that public buildings and both private and social housing meet the highest European energy-efficiency standards and make them subject to energy certification on a regular basis.

As a former Minister of Housing, I can assure you that salubrious housing acts as an important social lever and this brings housing into the field of social, economic and territorial cohesion, which is the regional policy’s prime objective.

As a former Minister of Housing, I can assure you that salubrious housing acts as an important social lever and this brings housing into the field of social, economic and territorial cohesion, which is the regional policy’s prime objective.

Member States and local authorities also need to set an example in their own purchasing requirements and where public funds are used in housing and other construction works, as called for in the 3rd European Minister's Conference on sustainable housing.