Street interviews, local perspectives, and pressing global issues take centre stage in the new season of ALDA’s podcast, Shades of Democracy.
Housing as a right is more than a political slogan – it is a call for action to address one of the most pressing social and democratic challenges facing Europe today.
In the latest episode of ALDA’s podcast Shades of Democracy, titled “Housing is a Right: Democracy Begins at Home”, Maite Arrondo, member of ALDA’s Advisory Board, joins host Manal Snidi for a compelling conversation on why the housing crisis is not just an economic issue, but a democratic one.
Drawing on her intervention during the 2025 Civil Society Week, Maite sheds light on the reality many citizens – especially young people – are facing: the rising cost of living, unaffordable rents, lack of housing security, and the weakening of the social fabric that connects communities.
🎧 Listen to the episode here: Housing is a Right: Democracy Begins at Home
The crisis is real – and deeply political
“We must rebalance the financial and rights dimensions of housing,” Maite states in the episode. Her message is clear: when housing is treated primarily as a commodity, rather than a human right, citizens lose their ability to fully participate in public life.
The conversation touches on key concerns raised during street interviews conducted in Brussels by ALDA’s Communication Team, where students and young professionals were asked:
👉 What does housing as a right mean to you?
👉 Do you feel that your city provides fair and accessible housing?
👉 What would you change if you had the power?
Their answers revealed a shared frustration across Europe’s urban centres – from Brussels to Milan, from Frankfurt to Paris – over rising rents, insecure tenancy conditions, and the sense that EU and national policies are not doing enough to ensure housing for all.
“Democracy begins at home – and without fair housing, people are excluded from their own communities.”
From advocacy to policy: ALDA’s position
In her role as speaker at the Civil Society Week, Maite presented a series of policy recommendations, many of which are echoed in this podcast episode. Among them:
- The need for public funding to support housing initiatives;
- Greater transparency in real estate markets and financial actors;
- Support for cooperative models and local governments as key actors in housing access;
- Implementation of “Housing First” policies for vulnerable groups;
- Collection of reliable data on housing needs and accessibility.
These points reflect ALDA’s broader advocacy agenda: housing must be approached through the lens of human rights, and local authorities and civil society must be empowered to lead this change.
In the face of ongoing debates around the European Affordable Housing Plan, ALDA urges decision-makers to prioritise social cohesion, territorial realities, and community-led models that put people, not profit, at the centre.
From podcast to platform for change
This episode of Shades of Democracy is not just a conversation – it’s a platform for reflection and mobilisation. It speaks to public officials, civil society actors, and everyday citizens concerned about the erosion of rights in their communities.
Through authentic voices, expert insights, and a clear call to action, ALDA continues to amplify the link between local democracy and the most tangible aspects of daily life – starting with where we live.
📖 Learn more:
• ALDA at Civil Society Week 2025
• Maite Arrondo’s article – Housing as a Human Right
🎧 Listen to the new season on ALDA’s website: Shades of Democracy – Season 4
