STATE AID : COURT RESHUFFLES CARDS ON AID FOR SOCIAL HOUSING.

Social housing bodies in the EU have scored a victory. The EU Court of Justice set aside, on 27 February, the order of the president of the EU General Court of 16 December 2011, dismissing the appeals by such bodies from the Netherlands (supported by other member states) challenging the approach of limiting this social public service to less favoured populations (Cases C-133/12 P and C-132/12 P). According to that order, Dutch housing corporations were not distinct from other potential beneficiaries of the aid scheme and consequently could not dispute the Commission's decision.

The ruling, which validates the opinion of Advocate-General Melchior Wathelet, reshuffles the cards. This case concerning Dutch social housing calls into question states' power to determine the boundaries of their public services and will therefore be closely examined by the EU courts.

"The court has paved the way to a judgement on the substance and merit of the residual definition of social housing imposed by the European Commission," welcomed Laurent Ghekiere, in charge of European affairs for Union sociale pour l'habitat (USH)...