FEANTSA Migration & Homelessness Newsletter

DECEMBER 2024

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Dear readers,

This issue of the FEANTSA migration newsletter brings you the latest updates on the many developments which unfolded in the second half of 2024. We hope you find these useful in your important work with people on the move!

At European level, December marked the beginning of a new European Commission, still under the lead of Ursula von der Leyen. Roxana Mînzatu (Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness), Dan Jørgensen (Energy and Housing), Hadja Lahbib (Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management) and Magnus Brunner (Internal Affairs and Migration) are the new European Commissioners related to challenges pertaining to the work on homelessness, migration and housing. PICUM’s analysis of the new Commission notes an alarming focus on migration as a threat to fight.  

Following the rebels’ overthrow of the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria, several European member states, among which Belgium, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands have been pausing requests for asylum made by Syrians. The already long waiting period and asylum backlogs registered in the past year will most likely become event longer. Although the European Commission still considers Syria unsafe to return to, there are increasing worries about a focus on returns. Not long before the fall, Politico found that the EU was already helping Turkey forcibly deport migrants to Syria and Afghanistan. We await further changes and developments, and their impact on homelessness in the EU, as this news develops in the new year.

In this newsletter you will be able to read about these issues and many more FEANTSA activities and general updates regarding migration, asylum and homelessness.

To reach out with suggestions or for information, please write to us at simona.barbu@feantsa.org.