1. HOW SOCIAL IS EUROPE? SOME REFLECTIONS OF FEANTSA BAWO Fachtagung Salzburg - 6 May 2009

2. Introduction  FEANTSAs in the European arena  Monopoly on homelessness  (But) Funded by the EU  Lobbying – Delivering Challenge …  Austria in FEANTSA  Crucial position of BAWO Christian Perl  Homeless & EU: some preliminary remarks EU is not social / Will not be social in foreseeable future ?! EU social model is myth Pretext not to act?! Fatalistic / Idealistic vs Pragmatic approach Focus on homelessness

3. EU & homelessness – HISTORY  Homelessness is NOT competence of the EU  Open Method of Coordination Since 2000 Soft policy making Mutual learning, knowledge generating, benchmarking…. Examples FEANTSA Studies Peer reviews Seminars Random / piecemeal  BUT indirect impact Examples Free movement of workers Asylum Procurement Energy efficiency State aid… No awareness !!!!  NO strategic approach  Waste of resources.

4. EU & Homelessness – CURRENT  Homelessness is urgent priority  Joint Report Social Protection & Social Inclusion 2009  Council & Commission  Light year on Homelessness and Housing Exclusion  Governement reports First time Political momentum  Joint Report 2010 Thematic Focus  Pressure from the European Parliament  Written Declaration on Homelessness 2008 Ending Street Homelessness by 2015 More active role of the EU  Political momentum on homelessness

5. EU & Homelessness – Immediate FUTURE  Problem  Lack of support from European Commission Anticipate disagreement amongst member states Focus on homelessness leads to marginalisation of social policies  Solution  Build European consensus on homelessness What is ultimate objective of public policies? What is progress on homelessness? Managing vs Ending Homelessness  How?  European Consensus conference 2010 PrepCom – all stakeholders Consensus Conference – experts Jury – decision

6. EU & Homelessness – longer-term FUTURE  Soft competences  Homelessness OMC post 2010 Proper reporting Homelessness NAPs Proper monitoring Homelessness EU objectives Proper learning Strategic use of PROGRESS programme  Hard competences  Free movement of people Minimum protection for homeless/destitute people Guaranteed access to emergency accommodation / social emergency support  Free movement of services Quality of services Emergency accommodation?!  Funding  Structural Funds post 2013 Soft competences & Hard competence Focus for visibility

7. EU & Homelessness – AUSTRIA  Emerging European dynamic on homelessness  Solving homelessness is possible!! Strategic plans...  Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, France,...  Austria??  How to take part?  NGO level Strong national umbrella is necessary!! Central position of FEANTSA...  Public authorities level Overcome federalised structure of Austria Homelessness OMC National/regional level  Informal meetings Local level  Habitact  Role of Vienna...

8.  Thank you for listening  Questions?????????????????????