Under the Portuguese EU presidency, the Portuguese governmental body responsible for housing: The National Institute for Housing and Urban Regeneration, (Instituto da Habitação e da Reabilitação Urbana (IHRU)) in cooperation with CECODHAS Portugal organised the first ever 'housing forthnight' . This intensive two weeks of conferences dedicated to housing issues aimed to raise awareness on the need for urban and social policies to adapt to the changing needs in their country.

The fortnight began on October 2st, 2007, World Habitat Day and culminated on October 17th with an international conference at which representatives from the city of Vienna, National Board of Housing and Planning, (BOVERKET) Sweden and the Spanish Ministry for housing outlined the pressing issus in their countries in the field of housing, urban generation and social cohesion. The European Invesment Bank also took this opportunity to present new funding posibilities they offer.

The European Parliament's Urban Housing intergroup was represented at the international conference by vice president of the group, MEP Alfonso Andria. Andria who was rapporteur on the initiative report on "Housing and Regional policy "  adopted in May this year by a large majority. Read CECODHAS article on this report here. Mr Andria: "The importance of a supply for decent affordable housing as key to social inclusion in Europe".

Click here to download Mr Andria's contribution