EU Commission Takes On Poverty, Homelessness

BRUSSELS, May 6 (Bernama-dpa) -- The European Commission aims to better tackle poverty, homelessness and social exclusion in the European Union (EU) as the bloc struggles to overcome the economic fallout of a series of global crises, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

"Europe has always been defined not only by its economic strength, but also by its social model and solidarity," said EU commissioner for social rights, Roxana Mînzatu, on Wednesday.

"In the years ahead, these values will be tested, and our response will shape not only our economies, but also the trust citizens place in Europe," she said.

The EU's economy has been heavily impacted by the consequences of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019 and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

According to EU figures, one in five European adults and one in four children are affected by poverty.

One million people are homeless, and many more are struggling with soaring housing prices.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia is causing concern in the EU about a renewed rapid rise in inflation.

The commission plans to work more closely with national and local governments as well as businesses and civil society organisations to provide more people with quality jobs as a first step out of poverty, a press release said.

The EU's executive branch also aims to support children affected by poverty with better access to early childhood education, health care and school meals.

On improving access to housing, the commission sent a list of recommendations to EU countries focused on tackling homelessness and promoting social and affordable housing.

-- BERNAMA-dpa