Housing crisis in Germany: Rethinking refugee accommodation

Housing crisis in Germany: Rethinking refugee accommodation

The contrast between tent cities for refugee accommodation and the demolition of empty apartments in Germany is no longer acceptable. In structurally weak regions in the east, 143,000 apartments are empty, which is a burden for landlords. High rents are necessary for energy-efficient renovations, but the financial resources are lacking. The high vacancy rate of 8.2% in the East compared to 3.7% nationwide further exacerbates the economic situation for landlords.

Unhindered immigration and inadequate construction activity in Germany are creating a tense situation. Municipalities are overburdened, states are not promoting housing construction enough, and the federal government is failing to implement reforms in the construction sector. Meanwhile, hotels are rented for refugees, sports halls are occupied and unusual locations are used because there is a lack of suitable accommodation.

The discrepancy in refugee accommodation between hotel rentals and the demolition of apartments is difficult to justify economically. Politicians must act more flexibly in order to cope with the current housing shortage. A pragmatic solution calls for examining empty properties as potential refugee accommodation in order not to waste valuable resources.