On 11 December, Brussels Secretary of State for Housing Nawal Ben Hamou addressed the 8th Annual Conference of SLRB, Brussels’ social housing provider and a member of Housing Europe, to discuss the impact of the EU Green Taxonomy on social housing.
“Social housing must be a tool for modernising housing in Europe. We need to see the taxonomy as an opportunity,” Nawal Ben Hamou said. She called for simplifications to its application and the inclusion of residents in the transition to ensure solutions are effective. “European financing is essential to drive this transformation.”
Housing Europe’s Secretary-General Sorcha Edwards echoed the call for aligning affordability, sustainability, and availability in social housing. “While the focus at EU level on affordable housing is encouraging, it must not overshadow the needs of the most vulnerable,” she warned, adding that social, cooperative, and public housing can lead Europe’s fair energy transition.
Highlighting innovation in energy efficiency, Sorcha showcased solar panel rollouts and energy communities among Housing Europe members. However, she cautioned against contradictions in EU frameworks in which the Green Taxonomy focuses on the best-performing buildings, while EPBD targets the least efficient. “Clear alignment is needed to ensure results,” she underlined.