Malta 'should have used some EU funds for housing'

Labour MEP John Attard Montalto has criticised the government for not making use of EU Regional Development funds for housing projects.

Speaking in the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development, which was discussing a report on housing and regional policyDr Attard Montalto said the EU had, for the first time, allowed member states to use regional development funds for housing. Member states could have used part of the 2007-2013 budget for such a purpose.

"Nine new member states were given this opportunity because many states lack adequate housing and the issue is still a priority. The conditions attached to the use of the funds left ample elbow room, such as security of energy supply and that the buildings had to be within building zones," Dr Attard Montalto said.

"One of the problems in new member states is that people feel detached from the institutions. Using EU funds for tangible short-term projects makes people feel that the EU is doing something positive for them too. "Had the government built 200 apartments and sold them at reasonable prices, it would have helped alleviate part of the housing problem," Dr Attard Montalto said.

Among others, the report considered that the right to adequate housing at reasonable prices is an important fundamental right and called for the identification, at European level, of a series of quality indicators defining the concept of adequate housing. It also expressed hope that national and local decision-makers will adopt measures to help young people buy their first home.