Welcome back to the Grassroots View! In this episode, we're tackling the urgent issue of homelessness across the European Union. Despite Europe's relative wealth, the challenge of ensuring safe and decent housing for all citizens persists, prompting crucial reflections on the EU's core values of social justice, solidarity, and inclusivity.
Today, we're joined by key voices in the fight against homelessness: Frederik Spinnewijn from the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA), Nóra Teller from the Metropolitan Research Institute, and María del Carmen Barrera Chamorro from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
Frederik sheds light on FEANTSA's multifaceted approach, emphasizing mutual learning and innovative solutions like Housing First. Nóra provides valuable insights into the stark realities of homelessness in Europe, highlighting successful strategies from countries like Finland, Austria, and Denmark. María outlines the importance of collaborative efforts through platforms like the European Platform for Combating Homelessness and calls for concrete actions at the EU level.