High property prices top concerns at social policy conference
Forward with Dignity brings together experts and activists to discuss social issues
High property prices were the most common concern raised during a conference on improving quality of life.
Held in Parliament on Thursday, the Forward with Dignity conference was organised by Ivan Bartolo, the PN's spokesperson on social and affordable housing.
The event brought together 14 speakers, including researchers, NGO representatives and social sector professionals. Despite their varied perspectives, a central issue repeatedly emerged: the escalating cost of housing.
Lawyer Kurt Xerri said the state was already late in addressing housing challenges.
“Today the average price for a house in our country is around 12 times more than the average wage. Ten years ago this rate was nine times less,” he continued.
“This is a big challenge for the 45,000 young people aged 25 to 35 who can’t afford to buy a place for themselves and are left living under their parents’ roof.”
He also warned of inertia on the matter. “The pressure to do nothing is big,” he said, pointing out that the housing market is often left to dictate life decisions, such as whether someone can move out or leave a relationship and start over.
He noted that historically, governments, regardless of political party, ensured that the most vulnerable were housed. He encouraged stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors moving forward.
Matthew Attard, president of Solidarjetà, highlighted the dramatic shift in the rental market over the last 15 years. “The average rent per year was €3,500 15 years ago. In 2024, it was over €10,000. It has tripled.”
He called on the government to play a more active role in making housing affordable and to address stagnant wages.
Criminologist Sandra Scicluna spoke on prisoner reintegration issues and said housing concerns were a barrier to those trying to rebuild their lives. “A prisoner with a few euros can forget finding a place to rent… we have a few organisations that give halfway houses, but these are small and not all prisoners can use this," she said.
Other subjects discussed during the conference included the lack of data on drug use and rehabilitation, the debate over whether prostitution should be legal, and the role of older people in society.
Activist Robert Louis Fenech posed a broader question: “Who is this economy working for?” He continued: “We hear about the strength of our economy but do we feel it?”
Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia opened the conference, calling for a human-centred approach. Opposition Leader Alex Borg also attended, promising support for social partners,