New chairman calls for measures against the real estate crisis in Salzburg!

New chairman calls for measures against the real estate crisis in Salzburg!

Roman Oberndorfer was elected as the new chairman of the association of real estate and asset trustees in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO). He brings extensive experience as a specialist group chairman in Salzburg and as regional branch manager of the Austrian Association of the Real Estate Industry (ÖVI). The trade association represents over 11,000 companies in the industry and acts as an official interest group in politics, which is of great importance given the current challenges. SN.at reports that Oberndorfer, with his network of contacts to decision-makers, has also been active on the extended board since 2020.

Oberndorfer sees the real estate industry facing numerous challenges, including high construction costs and an alarming decline in annual completions in Salzburg, which have fallen from 1,900 to just 350. Although he is not responsible for the non-profit sector, he sees many parallels that lead to challenges there too. Housing subsidies in particular are a state issue in which he wants to represent Salzburg's concerns at the federal level as a specialist group chairman.

Focal points and challenges

In order to address the industry's pressing problems, Oberndorfer would like to actively communicate with housing representatives from all parties, clearly address the challenges and develop solutions. The focus of the content includes, among other things, the new KIM regulation and the discussion about a catalog of operating costs. He emphasizes the need to make housing more affordable for everyone, for example by abolishing property taxes. This step could act as a significant measure against rising housing costs.

Gerald Gollenz, chairman of the trade association, also addresses the difficulties faced by the commercial real estate industry in Austria. The industry is responsible for two thirds of new construction and existing renovations. Gollenz addresses the acuteness of the situation and calls for clear safety measures as 26,000 employees are affected by the developments. WKO.at emphasizes that the industry is dominated by small, regional family businesses that create important, secure jobs in rural regions.

Forecasts and possible solutions

The forecasts point to a serious decline in new construction in the coming years. It is expected that in 2025, for the first time, fewer new housing units will be created than households. Johannes Wild, chairman of the specialist group in Lower Austria, warns of the consequences of this trend. Michael Pisecky, chairman of the specialist group in Vienna, cites high construction costs and legal uncertainty as factors that are further exacerbating the crisis.

To deal with this crisis, several emergency measures have been proposed that can be implemented without tax money. These include accelerating building permit procedures and densification of existing buildings, reducing construction costs by reducing bureaucracy and eliminating obstacles to renovation. Tax incentives for renovations and the creation of legal certainty in the tenancy law are also on the agenda. Gollenz calls for a clear commitment to equality between commercial, non-profit and regional residential construction in order to stabilize the industry and make it sustainable.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the new association chairman Oberndorfer faces a demanding task that requires both strategic skills and a keen sense of political issues. The next steps will be crucial for the future of the real estate industry in Austria. The situation requires quick action to avoid serious impacts on the industry and citizens.