Elections 2024: Who do I vote for if I want to see access to affordable housing?
In the run-up to the June elections, Belgium's political parties are staking out their positions on key issues. Today we look at where they stand on affordable housing.
Like many European countries, Belgium faces significant challenges in the housing sector. Rising property prices, rental costs, and a shortage of affordable housing have become critical issues in recent years.
A recent report from the Flemish real estate sector federation showed that a record number of people in Belgium moved between the country's regions last year, with a majority leaving Brussels for either Flanders or Wallonia. While the cost of living is high throughout Belgium, Brussels exceeds the normal housing prices.
Market-driven
Both N-VA and Open VLD favour market-driven solutions and some level of government intervention when it comes to housing. N-VA supports tax incentives for property developers and homeowners to stimulate construction and renovation projects. They also promote the idea of reducing VAT on new housing projects to make new homes more affordable. Meanwhile, Open VLD believes in maintaining a flexible housing market while ensuring vulnerable groups receive adequate support. Open VLD also promotes the creation of mixed-income neighbourhoods to promote social cohesion.
Sustainability
CD&V and Ecolo concentrate on environmentally sustainable and community-oriented housing policies. Both parties want to develop affordable, community-focused housing. Ecolo believes that addressing the housing crisis should go hand-in-hand with combating climate change and CD&V has also proposed incentives for green building practices and energy-efficient homes.
Ren Control
The Francophone Socialist Party (PS) and PTB/PVDA take similar approaches to affordable housing. Both parties support rent controls and measures to combat property speculation and believe that everyone should have access to decent and affordable housing.
In the run-up to the elections for the federal, regional and European parliaments on 9 June, Belga English explains how the parties in Belgium want to address today’s challenges. Each day we put the spotlight on one issue. |
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO BELPRESS
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