Amsterdam, 30 May 2016.
Activists from 10 countries severely affected by the imposition of EU austerity policies and urban regeneration projects carried out with European structural funds displayed a 15-meter banner on the Oosterdok jetty Which said “Housing for people, not profit” while singing slogans for housing and housing rights to protest against the adoption of the EU Urban Agenda by Ministers of 23 member states in Amsterdam. The protest called for European funds to be used to build social and protected housing, not as often happens, that projects displaced marginal or impoverished groups by concessions made to private enterprise and pursuing profit through development and Almost never the social benefit. In summary, the EU Urban Agenda has been developed since 1997 by the European Commission and the European Council, with the aim of “eliminating unnecessary regulation” and “creating more manageable financial instruments”. The Amsterdam Pact, which has been signed under the Dutch Presidency of the Union, has been designed to organize urban cooperation with no intention to prevent or prevent the privatization of public housing taking place all over Europe. The Urban Agenda is full of euphemisms that under the concepts of “sustainability” and “innovation” conceal a hidden strategy to create cities with which private capital can profit. There are other options, funds can be used to house disadvantaged communities who are being evicted from their neighborhoods and cities, however, the EU is participating in the gentrification of many European cities. The Coalition and all its participants, demand access to affordable public housing. Housing is a right and not a privilege.