Discussion about the Soest residential area: critics and investors at loggerheads!

Discussion about the Soest residential area: critics and investors at loggerheads!

An extensive construction project for a new residential area on Clevischen Straße is being planned in Soest. Justus Wollny, the project developer at Gateway Real Estate, responded to a letter to the editor from Wolfram Rickes, who criticized the one-sided focus on lower-income households. Wollny firmly rejected the allegations and made it clear that the project is intended to create living space for both lower-income and higher-earning households. The planned 176 “occupancy-based apartments” are aimed at specific income groups that are above the national average, which is a clear sign of an inclusive housing concept.

The income limits for the rent are based on different categories. Households in income group A with a rent of 6.65 euros per square meter can earn up to 38,000 euros, while in income group B, which includes rents of 7.70 euros per square meter, a maximum of 52,700 euros applies. For families of four, income limits of up to 68,600 or 95,500 euros are even planned, which gives a broad section of the population the opportunity to become part of the new residential area. This information is also available ImmobilienScout24 known.

Sustainability and social responsibility

Wollny also emphasizes that the planning of 276 barrier-free apartments is part of the state building regulations. The aim is to create more living space in a small space, which is particularly relevant in times of tight housing markets. Single-family homes are often not affordable and would also be closer together than new residential buildings, which supports the need for a mixed housing model. The construction will be carried out in accordance with the KfW 40 standard with renewable energies and green roofs, which places an additional focus on sustainability.

Another plus point of the project is the upcoming unsealing of almost 14,000 square meters of soil and the creation of 12,215 square meters of vegetation area. 139 new trees will be planted on New Year's Eve to ensure pleasant fresh air circulation between the buildings. These measures demonstrate the project developer's commitment to not only creating living space, but also promoting quality of life through ecological integration.

Public housing support in North Rhine-Westphalia

The project fits into a larger context of public housing support in North Rhine-Westphalia. In 2022, the Ministry of Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Construction and Digitalization surveyed all 53 approval authorities in the country about the municipal quotas for publicly subsidized housing construction. This survey was intended to find out how many municipalities make use of this instrument. A clear requirement states that in construction projects, part of the net living space must be used for publicly subsidized housing, which is intended to contribute to the creation of more affordable housing. Provides further information MHKBD NRW.

This measure shows in Soest that well thought-out projects not only serve to create living space, but also meet social and ecological responsibility. The dream of owning your own home becomes reality for many, while at the same time contributing to improving the quality of life in the region.