I would first like to thank Kata Tüttő, Oliver Röpke, and Séamus Boland for giving me the opportunity to have this meeting. Housing affordability and accessibility are among the most urgent concerns of Europeans. We are all aware that the European Union is facing an exceptionally challenging geopolitical landscape. However, it is equally essential that we also address the daily concerns of European citizens. The housing crisis has a dangerous triple impact: it affects the fundamental rights of citizens, negatively impacts competitiveness, and undermines trust in our democratic institutions. That is why I have ensured that the housing crisis will be on the agenda of tomorrow’s European Council. For the very first time, European Union leaders will debate this critical issue at the highest level. While this is an area that remains primarily under the jurisdiction of national, regional, and local authorities, it is crucial that we, as European leaders, come together to discuss how the European Union can complement these efforts. Its goals are diverse, and so too will be the solutions. It is a complex, multi-layered issue that affects not only the most vulnerable groups - homeless individuals, low-income households - but also youth and the middle class. Two weeks ago, I met with the mayors of the Affordable Housing Alliance. We will also discuss this issue today, later, with the social partners during the Tripartite Social Summit. And now I have just concluded a very fruitful meeting with the president of the Committee of the Regions and the incoming presidents of the European Economic and Social Committee regarding the housing crisis. Both the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee have been working hard on this issue, as their presidents will explain to you in a moment. The European Parliament has also created a special committee on housing, and moreover, the European Commission now has dedicated commissioners for housing and will present the European Union's first-ever affordable housing plan by the end of this year. The European Union institutions are fully engaged in helping address this crisis. But the objective of tomorrow's discussion at the European Council is to offer political guidance to the Commission and to the Council in preparing the affordable housing plans. But for now, it’s very important to listen to what the opinions of mayors, regional leaders, workers, companies, and civil society in Europe are regarding this very important, very dramatic crisis that affects millions of European citizens.
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