Access to Affordable Quality Housing and Public Health Services ALTER SUMMIT Defend and Promote Commons and Public Services for all Input: Sian Jones, Policy Coordinator European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)

Overview of Presentation Introducing EAPN Approach to Services EU Role in undermining access EAPN report – Nobody left behind: Access to Housing and Health Services Main Messages and Recommendations

Introducing EAPN Independent Network of NGOs committed to fight against poverty and social exclusion, with and for people in poverty. Primarily working in the EU Member States 31 National Networks and 16 European NGOs as members Participation of people with direct experience of poverty must be part of the solution. Started in 1990 – key actor in poverty programmes and development of social OMC and Europe 2020 Strategy. Receives financial support from the European Commission (EaSi Programme)

Overarching approach Poverty is a structural not an individual problem – you can’t tackle poverty without reducing inequality… Fairer distribution and redistribution are pre-requisites – quality jobs, tax justice and universal public services Integrated, anti poverty strategy in place Adequate Incomes throughout the life cycle = minimum income and social protection Accessible and affordable public services Inclusive, quality jobs Participation and civil dialogue

What’s crucial about public services? Public services key in ensuring universal social protection and welfare states Essential for preventing and tackling poverty, and reducing inequality. EAPN members alarmed at declining access to public services for people in poverty Key causes: austerity cuts, increased marketization - privatisation/ liberalisation Reduced access to affordable housing and health seen as main priority challenges

EU role in undermining public services Services of General Interest: “basic services that are essential to the lives of the majority of the public and where the state has an obligation to ensure public standards’ Services of General Economic interest - ie ‘considered to have an economic nature’ ie where the market has an interest. Promotion of the Internal Market (eg Services Directive) - EU sees all services as SGEI – ie justifying the entry of the market, including in social and health services of general interest EU Economic Governance promotes liberalization and privatisation of services and austerity to reduce deficits Major player in undermining social rights and standards in public services across the EU – will new European Pillar of Social Rights make a difference?

Nobody Left Behind Ensuring access for all to affordable quality housing and health services. EAPN study based on survey of members – full contributions from 10 national networks (BE, FI, IC, IE, LV, NO, PT, SK, SE, UK) and inputs (AT, HR, CY, CZ, EE, FR, DE, IT, MA, NL, PL, RO, SR) Aim and Objectives To map the reality of changing access to health and housing services and analyse the impact on people at risk of poverty Content Overview of context – legal and policy frameworks, situation Member’s assessment of key challenges, groups affected and main causes and solutions Good practices and role of NGOs Key Messages and Recommendations

The Right to Housing “There are not enough houses and the houses cost too much.. So that means we end up homeless” “It’s impossible to invite friends of my children home, my home is so poor and small… we lead a hidden life” “I have slept in cardboard boxes. I had the choice to die on the street or take my life back. I went to social services to get help. I was confronted with enormous bureaucracy. I had to tell my story several times. It took years to get anything. I just want a place to live”

Main Challenges in Housing Affordability an increasing problem-11.4% spend 40% income Main causes high unregulated rents in private sector cuts to rent or income support ie rent caps Owner occupation increasingly inaccessible lack and cuts to social housing. Inadequate housing - increased overcrowding – 16.9% with over 40% in BG, RO, PL, HU), 15.7% live in damp conditions. Increasing problem of energy poverty – 10% of EU (up to 37% in some MS) – low income/high prices/low efficiency. Rising problem of homelessness – 4 million: 25% are children, worse for Roma, migrants..

Right to Health Services “Last night I was very sad, my little sister was very sick, but mum had no money to buy medicine.” “There are great hospitals in town, but you have to pay the doctor cash to get treated – we don’t have the money” “In Norway, dental services aren’t covered by public health – so having bad teeth is stigmatised…a sign of poverty”.

Main Challenges in Access to Health Services Affordability due to: cuts in health care and increased out of pocket payments eg PT (100%) and prescription charges increased privatisation – eg dental care and key chronic/prevention/acute services. declining household income/wages/support Administrative barriers – eg residence/id/digital Unequal coverage/quality of services -geographic, age groups, specialisms, dental, mental health care. Long waiting times increase social gradient

Key Messages Public services explicit target for policy reform particularly through austerity Privatisation used as a means to reduce costs and attack welfare states. Market cannot provide affordable housing, key role of state regulation and social housing. Universal health services essential as social compact to promote health for all, prevent poverty Direct action by excluded is key to challenge this loss of the commons.

Key Overarching Recommendations A transformative social and sustainable model Nobody left behind: guarantee right to adequate affordable quality services for all Stop austerity and promote social investment in public services through EU funds Benchmark and monitor social standards on adequacy, access and affordability Carry out effective social impact assessment Put the user at the heart of services

For more information Contact Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator Boulevard Bischoffscheim 11, 1000 Brux. sian.jones@eapn.eu Tel: 0032 2 226 5859 Mobile: 0032 473 869 384