New Expert Group from METREX to explore strategic issues around delivery of sustainable and affordable housing.
METREX – the network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas – will join the fourth edition of the International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) to launch a new Expert Group aimed at assessing the role of the metropolitan level in housing.
Taking place in Barcelona over 7-9 June 2023, ISHF is an initiative by Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing, and its members and allies, present in 25 countries and encompassing 25 million dwellings, 11% of the housing stock in the European Union.
Previous editions have taken place in Amsterdam, Lyon and Helsinki, the latter attracting around 1,000 people from 80 different activities over three days. ISHF is angled towards different stakeholders working in the housing field: research institutions, professionals, local authorities, residents and activists, among others.
Housing affordability is a well-document issue affecting Europe and beyond, particularly when demand is greater than supply. Responsibility for delivery typically lays with local and central governments. However, METREX believes that the metropolitan level should play a much greater role.
The new Expert Group will provide Members with the information, tools, and resources they need to take action to address housing affordability and related climate change issues in their communities.
It is expected that the group will meet over the course of two years, online and in person. Members are asked to consider appropriate colleagues to join the group.
The launch event at the ISHF will take place on 8 June at 13:40-14:00 CEST, and will feature the Secretary General of METREX, Henk Bouwman, as well as a short talk from new Members Eurométropole de Strasbourg. Register online for the ISHF here
Members interested in joining the new Sustainable and Affordable Housing Expert Group should contact Stephen Gallagher.
Photo by Tom Rumble on Unsplash
