How to fix the housing crisis — MERA25 Talks E1

Why is housing broken in so many countries in Europe? And how can a political party that goes beyond national borders make sure that having a roof over your head goes back to what it should always be: a basic right?

Join activists from our political parties – MERA25 Germany, MERA25 Italy, and MERA25 Greece – as we debate this, and much more, in the first episode of MERA25 Talks!

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#housing #Europe #MERA25

[rudstoncullen]

I am listening from South Africa (having lived previously about 24 years in total in the EU) and I would like to say how incredibly refreshing it is to hear such clariity on this essential issue: at least there are people like yourselves having intelligent discussions like these and coming from a mindset that has not been totally taken over by the barbaric mainstream narrative. Despite the challenges, be grateful to have your comrades! I am currently struggling to find a rental in the Garden Route area, where there are 1000s of AirBnBs, 1000s of mostly unoccupied holiday homes etc... and few people to talk to who would understand your argument. Keep it up and thanks!

[zord]

It's a very important conversation! The fact it happens all over Europe and still no parties are speaking about is just hearth breaking.

[iridiumho]

So good to hear so much sense about this. There's power in being bigger than just one country. Housing is something we can all agree on. New culture please 💯

[musiqtee]

18:33 I know - and am utterly appalled by the fact that my government does this with public money.

The scam is twofold though. In 2011 the parliament (Stortinget) severely cut pensions for all born after 1964. That was way too late for many (like me, a ‘66) to go “private”.

I don’t think my wife and I can keep our home on our pensions, we already struggle. She’s terrified, so I can’t really talk to her about this.

Our flat was price regulated community housing until 1984, and we all know what happened later.

As a member, I really miss DiEM/Mera here. My local council party is also drifting to the right before local elections, in an already austerity ridden economy.

I stand with you, and all young adults that my generation - and sadly my state - is financially marginalising.

🔥👍

[williamdenton]

All Europe has to do is study and follow the example of Vienna, Austria. Because of the unique socio/political history of Vienna, there is no affordable housing crisis in Vienna. The sage city fathers years ago started buying up real estate and converting it to public housing, which they sensibly mixed with private or market housing. So Vienna does not have "slums" of public housing standing apart from private housing. Over 50 % of Viennese live in some form of subsidized housing in the real estate controlled by the city. This in turn keeps the private market from spiralling out of control. If Vienna can do it so can the other major cities in Europe.

[exkalina]

What he said at 29:55, i never thought of wow

[BTin]

Showing you much solidarity from Canada. It is not unheard of for people here in Toronto to be paying 75% of income on housing, an average 1 bedroom is $2, 000 per month here. Emphasis on average. Anything slightly more than average is noticeably more. Housing in the capitalist world is falling apart, housing should not be based on profit, but based on cooperative, public means.

[meerespflanzen]

I’m based in New Zealand, it’s interesting to hear unaffordable housing is everywhere in the world.

[johntravena]

Is right, fellas! Y’all are on the right train of thought. Ya know, people will say Well, people took out loans they Knew they couldn’t pay. I always tell them But the banks knew they couldn’t pay them as well! But many still just think the banks deserve to fleece people! It’s good to see people ruminating on possible ways to rectify this massive wealth transfer.

[academicmailbox]

In regards to what Erik explained on Athens. You guys should invite Ted Siedle as a guest speaker, who was a journalist at Forbes. Back in 2013 the national Dutch television crews arrived in Florida, to find out from Ted, if he knew where the national pension fund at home. Had invested their money in north America. As the pension fund in the Netherlands for it's public service refused to be transparent.

[jrshield]

A land tax on these big real estate investors. Tax back the wealth and use the money to build high-quality social housing

[lacey]

Mortgage is basically rent, a normal person wouldn't not be able to pay them off unless they live in the house for 30 years, oops that went up to 50 years (united states)

[rogeralexander]

The problem is that money is issued as debt by the rich to the poor, with interest charged at any rate that wii make a profit for the lender. We can only change this by chalenging the right to evict and occupying empty properties by homeless people. In this way accommodation would cease to be an investment but would be a costly liability. We musr represent ourselves in court so that it all ceases to be a cash cow for the legal profession. We must publish the identities of bailiffs. policemen and all involved so that they must bear personal reponsibilty for the fate of those they dominate. This goes deep into the real problem face by people like Julian Assange... who is the govenor of the prison in which he is illegally imprisoned? Who are the wardens? Who are the policemen who dragged him out of the embassy.... we have their photos lets identify them so their friends and neighbours know what they do for money. We are money currency is not.

[lenuvian]

How about a ban on companies owning housing, giving them 5 years to sell, giving much needed downward pressure on housing prices as millons go on the market. Limit individuals to owning 2 homes by law. Profits from government housing must fully go to funding new social housing. This should work right?