Suche
Mein Konto
Climate goals in Lübeck: Social landlords on the verge of insolvency!
Lübeck plans to be climate neutral by 2035. But high costs and rent increases pose major challenges for social landlords.
Climate goals in Lübeck: Social landlords on the verge of insolvency!
In Lübeck there is a simmering discussion about climate protection and affordable housing. Andreas Breitner, director of the Association of North German Housing Companies (VNW), is alarmed by the challenges that social landlords have to overcome. These housing companies, which have been offering affordable housing for decades, are facing enormous pressure to make their building stock climate-neutral. But how can this be achieved given the high costs? Landlord Ratgeber reports that the municipal housing company TRAVE needs a whopping amount of 837 million euros to achieve these climate neutrality goals by 2035.
A massive renovation project is pending: of around 8,600 apartments, around 6,000 need to be extensively overhauled. But this is also where the dilemma begins: In order to double the necessary annual investment volume from 40 to 80 million euros, an annual surplus of more than 3 million euros would be necessary, which is considered utopian given the current economic background. According to the Association Office, this could lead to an increase in rents - by up to 1.50 euros per square meter. This is a threatening development for tenants who already suffer from high energy costs.
A balancing act between climate and costs
The real problem lies in the tension between the ambitious climate goals and the continually rising rental costs. “We cannot simply increase the rents without taking the tenants and their financial situation into account,” said Breitner. In fact, there are already voices questioning the feasibility of the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035. Environment Senator Ludger Hinsen has already expressed concerns that sticking firmly to this goal could stop the construction of new apartments.
As if that weren't enough, social landlords also face the challenge that the state and federal governments have so far shown little willingness to cover additional costs. This makes the balancing act between the necessary climate protection and responsibility towards tenants even more difficult. The German Tenants' Association emphasizes that the current renovation rate remains at a record low and tenants often bear the brunt of rising rents.
What can help?
There is a discussion about the modernization levy, which, according to certain studies, should be reduced from 8% to 3% in order to ensure a fair distribution of costs between tenants, landlords and the state. This could reduce the financial burden on tenants and create incentives for socially responsible renovations.
- Absenkung der Modernisierungsumlage auf 3%
- Vermietende dürfen staatliche Fördermittel behalten
- Erhöhung der Fördersätze für umfassende Sanierungen
The VNW, as the umbrella organization for 467 housing cooperatives in northern Germany, emphasizes the need for long-term strategies and innovative financing approaches in order to find a fair solution for everyone involved. Nazira석, the current discussion shows that social cohesion and climate protection must go hand in hand, otherwise conflicts are inevitable.