Tackling energy poverty through community action
Burgas, BULGARIA – Habitat for Humanity International, Municipality of Burgas and EnEffect
Energy poverty is a crisis affecting millions across Europe, forcing families to choose between heating their homes and meeting other basic needs. The Community Tailored Actions for Energy Poverty Mitigation (ComAct) project in Burgas, Bulgaria, is proving that this does not have to be the case. Through an ambitious, community-driven approach, ComAct has made energy-efficient renovations more accessible, affordable, and impactful for vulnerable households.
Caserne de Reuilly: Circular innovation and flexibility in urban regeneration
Paris, FRANCE – Paris Habitat & Charles-Henri Tachon Agency
The Caserne de Reuilly project in Paris is a transformative urban regeneration initiative that demonstrates how historic sites can be repurposed to meet modern needs while promoting sustainability and affordability.
Transforming Social Housing for Comfort, Efficiency, and Inclusivity
Bordeaux, FRANCE – Bordeaux metropolis
The Grand Parc Bordeaux project stands as a powerful example of how ambitious collective action can build better lives for residents while tackling climate, housing, and economic challenges. Located in Bordeaux, France, this innovative refurbishment has transformed 530 social housing units originally built in the 1960s, into modern, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes.
Build Better Lives: Social Housing Leading the Way
Brussels, BELGIUM – Foyer Schaerbeekois
The Colonel Bourg social housing project in Schaerbeek, Brussels, is a beacon of innovation in the pursuit of affordable, energy-efficient housing. Managed by Foyer Schaerbeekois, this initiative uses social housing as a model for decent, affordable and energy-efficient homes for all by implementing ambitious passive building standards while ensuring access to the most vulnerable.
Leading the way: Insights from the Colonel Bourg social housing project, an affordable & sustainable housing solution for all.
Last month, despite the wind and rain, supporters of the Build Better Lives campaign made the journey out to the Colonel Bourg social housing project in the neighbourhood of Reyers in the heart of Schaerbeek, Brussels, to see how affordable & sustainable housing projects are building better lives.
Rent indexation stop: A renovation catalyst?
As a response to the energy crisis, Flanders implemented a rent indexation stop for energy leaky housing with the goal of easing the ordeal for vulnerable tenants that are facing higher living costs, a tripling of their energy bills and rent indexation. The measure led to an increased number of renovations according to the Flemish Rent Platform, as landlords looked to maximize their profits. Nonetheless, the Flemish government decided to discontinue the indexation stop, as supposedly the energy crisis is “over now”.
A Housing-Energy Pact to Build Better Homes across Belgium
Housing in Belgium has become low in supply, more unaffordable, and is mostly energy inefficient. In response to this, the Climate Coalition (Klimaatcoalitie), a Belgian NGO that unites more than 90 civil society organisations, has established a Housing-Energy Pact. This Pact makes up a remarkable alliance of environmental and social organisations that advocate for more homes to be renovated across Belgium in a socially just manner.