The Left Group - Popular Assembly for Housing Justice: Homes for People, Not for Profit

2025-10-16T07:00:00+00:00

2025-10-16T16:00:00+00:00

https://www.expert-europe.eu//medias/image/thumbnail_106100379968ee6b58f2119.png

THE LEFT Group Conference Popular Assembly for Housing Justice: Homes for People, Not for Profit📅 Date:Thursday, 16 October 2025🕐 Time:09:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 17:40📍 Location:Room PHS 5B1, European Parliament, Brussels🌐 Interpretation: EN, DE, FR, SV, IT, ES, PT, EL, RO, HR, CS, HUCo-hosted byLeïla CHAIBIMEP, Member of EMPL & IMCOThe Left GroupLa France Insoumise (FR) Irene MONTEROMEP, Vice-Chair of The Left GroupThe Left GroupPodemos (ES) Martin SCHIRDEWANMEP, Co-Chair of The Left GroupThe Left GroupDie Linke (DE) Hanna GEDINMEP, Vice-Chair of The Left GroupThe Left GroupVänsterpartiet (SE) Ilaria SALISMEP, Member of LIBE & HOUSThe Left GroupAlleanza Verdi Sinistra (IT) Catarina MARTINSMember of the European ParliamentThe Left GroupBloco de Esquerda (PT) This event is organised in collaboration with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, Brussels Office and aims to tackle the deepening housing crisis across Europe, the prioritisation of profit over people which has led to growing homelessness, social fragmentation, and the displacement of working-class communities.The housing crisis is the direct result of political choices: EU fiscal rules and state aid constraints have restricted public investment, while the sell-off of public assets and the rise of short-term rental platforms have turned homes into financial instruments.In response, this event aims to create a space for thoughtful exchange and collective action—bringing together tenant unions, housing movements, researchers, trade unions, and policymakers to explore pathways toward a more stable and cooperative future.🎥 Live StreamingProgrammeMorning Session (09:00 – 13:00)09:00Opening RemarksLeïla Chaibi – MEP, The Left GroupIrene Montero – MEP, The Left Group09:15Panel 1: Understanding the EU Housing CrisisKey topics: Speculation and financialisation of housing markets, energy poverty, touristification, impact on vulnerable groups, homelessness and eviction, rising rents and gentrificationModerator: Martin Schirdewan – MEP, The Left GroupSpeakers: Ilaria Cauzzi (PLAT, Italy), Mohamed Bensadaa (Quartiers Nord, France), Lara Hernández (Sumar, Spain), Marie Linder (Tenants Union Sweden), Niklas Schenker (Berlin), Carmen Martínez (Albaycín Habitable, Spain)10:15 – 10:45 // Q&A + Contribution from the Assembly10:45Coffee Break11:15Panel 2: Fights & Victories for the Right to HousingKey topics: Successful grassroots housing campaigns, best practices from national level, legal frameworks and policy tools, alternatives to market-driven housing: cooperative housing, social housing models, public housingModerator: Hanna Gedin – MEP, The Left GroupSpeakers: Diangou Traoré (Francs-Moisins Citoyenne, France), Luca Blasi (Rome Municipality, Italy), Peter Kämmerling (Mietshäuser Syndikat), Laura Barrio (Housing Researcher, Spain), Ana Drago (University of Coimbra, Portugal), Tonia Katerini (United Initiative against Auctions, Greece)12:15 – 13:00 // Q&A + Contribution from the AssemblyAfternoon Session (14:00 – 17:40)13:00Lunch Break14:30Assembly: Opening RemarksLeïla Chaibi – MEP, The Left Group14:35Assembly: Action Plan & StrategiesKey question: How do we turn the right to housing social movement into a genuine counter-lobby?Moderator: Ilaria Salis – MEP, The Left Group16:20Coffee Break16:50Assembly: Thoughts & Exchanges on the Manifesto18:00Assembly: ConclusionCatarina Martins – MEP, The Left GroupSpeakersIlaria CAUZZIItalian ActivistPLAT Piattaforma Intervento SocialeMohamed BENSADAAFrench ActivistQuartiers Nord, Quartiers FortsLara HERNÁNDEZSecretary GeneralSumar, SpainMarie LINDERPresidentTenants Union, SwedenNiklas SCHENKERMemberBerlin House of RepresentativesCarmen MARTÍNEZRepresentativeAlbaycín Habitable, GranadaDiangou TRAORÉCo-founderFrancs-Moisins Citoyenne, FranceLuca BLASIHousing CouncillorRome's 3rd MunicipioPeter KÄMMERLINGMietshäuser SyndikatGermanyLaura BARRIOResearcherHousing & Feminist MovementsAna DRAGOSociologist & ResearcherUniversity of CoimbraTonia KATERINIMemberUnited Initiative against Auctions

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