Construction turbo starts: Vice Chancellor brings law for fast living!

Construction turbo starts: Vice Chancellor brings law for fast living!

Housing construction in Germany is facing a decisive turning point. Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has high hopes for a new law that aims to accelerate housing construction. As radiobielefeld.de reports, this law is expected to be approved by the Federal Cabinet next Wednesday. It is seen as an answer to the pressing social issue of housing, as young people in particular have difficulty finding affordable housing.

Previous promises by the SPD-led previous government to create 400,000 new apartments annually remained unfulfilled. Only 215,000 building permits were issued last year. The reasons for this are the high construction costs, increased interest rates and an acute shortage of skilled workers, which is putting a massive strain on housing construction.

The construction turbo pact

A central component of the new strategy is the “Construction Turbo Pact”, which the federal and state governments have decided to accelerate planning and approval processes. According to bmwsb.bund.de, this pact aims to facilitate the planning and implementation of construction projects in areas with high housing needs. Measures are planned for the use of vacant lots, the expansion of attics and the conversion of unused areas into living space.

A step in the right direction is the announced standardization of legal requirements, which means that construction companies no longer have to submit separate construction plans in each federal state. Amy is part of the idea that municipalities will be able to deviate from development plans in the future in order to speed up the approval process.

Challenges in housing construction

Finding living space is becoming increasingly difficult, especially in large cities where demand is high and prices have risen accordingly. Historical reviews show that factory housing, such as the Krupp settlement in Essen, was once a more efficient answer to a housing shortage. However, prices have been rising steadily since 2011, which is massively increasing the pressure on young people and workers.

As bundesbaublatt.de explains in detail, companies are increasingly required to develop a good handle on their employees' living space situations. The shortage of skilled workers is forcing many companies to create more creative incentives for recruiting personnel. For example, 5.2% of companies currently support their employees directly with housing offers.

A higher proportion, around 11.6%, provide indirect support, while 44% of active companies rent apartments to their employees. These developments are more necessary than ever as young people are often stuck without adequate housing options. In order to improve the situation, not only is there a need to reduce bureaucracy, but also comprehensive funding opportunities and support for companies in order to better utilize the potential in the housing market.

The steps that are now being taken could prove to be groundbreaking. Compliance with the new laws could help to significantly reduce pressure on the housing market and achieve the goal of more living space in Germany.