Limitation of social housing construction by Commission Decision 2012/21/EU

20.2.2015

Question for written answer P-002640-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jutta Steinruck (S&D)

The above decision gives a very limited definition for the purpose of exemption of undertakings from the requirement of prior notification. Those for whom social housing may be provided are limited to ‘disadvantaged citizens or socially less advantaged groups’. Complaints are received from private developers with the aim of limiting the scope of public housing undertakings which serve the general interest, on grounds of competition. The definition of the target group is not compatible with Protocol No 26 to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (12008M/PRO/26). There, in considering the importance of services of general interest, reference is made to ‘differences in the needs and preferences of users’. Restricting social housing to people on low incomes not only stigmatises tenants socially, but also leads to a general devaluation and marginalisation of social housing.

1. Is the Commission aware of the serious consequences for social housing, such as social segregation, which will ensue from the limitation of the target group? How does this limitation correlate with the Member States' freedom to define their services of general (economic) interest?

2. Will the Commission revise the Almunia Package and delete the definition of the target group as part of its efforts to bring about better law-making?

3. Why is the revision of the Almunia Package by 2017 no longer mentioned in the current version of the Commission’s work programme?