The 5th Baltic Housing Conference “Housing in the Baltic States – time of new values” took place on 23 April 2009 in Tallin (Estonia) and cast a light on key European issues for housing organizations in the Baltic countries, in the run up to the European Elections. During the conference, David Orr, President of CECODHAS, explained its vision statement for a fair and sustainable Europe, and how social housing organizations can contribute to it, while Julien Dijol from the CECODHAS office presented the new ERDF rule on energy efficiency and renewable energy in existing housing in all 27 Member States.

The afternoon session was dedicated to a discussion with current Estonian MEPs on the important issues for housing at the EU level. Some weeks before the June European Elections, it was a good opportunity to ask current and future MEPs about their commitment to improve citizens’ living conditions especially housing conditions. For example, the new ERDF regulation and the general question of financing the necessary retrofitting boom (including the VAT issue) were central to the debate.

Earlier in the afternoon, CECODHAS president had the opportunity to meet the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia, Mr Juhan Parts. Both discussed the need to consider the development of housing as one field of ensuring the sustainability of the economy and the communities but also the necessity of a real cooperation between all stakeholders including between housing federations and public authorities.  Mr. Parts ensured that he is committed to fully use funding opportunities for housing from the Structural Funds and encouraged CECODHAS and its members in Estonia (EKYL) to keep on their activities in this field.