Taking a Step Down: Baden-Württemberg Encourages Smaller Living Spaces with Bonuses
Encourage communes to transition to compact living spaces in smaller apartments. - Encouraging Citizens to Adopt Smaller Living Spaces Promoted by Local Authorities
Let's face it, finding a massive apartment in Baden-Württemberg can be a real pain in the neck. And here's a solution: why not move from an abode that's too spacious for your needs into something cozier? The municipalities that welcome this change will now earn a nice bonus from the government.
For every apartment switch, municipalities can apply for a living space bonus of up to 7,500 euros. This bonus can be passed on to renters or used for consultations, as announced by the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Housing. Keep in mind, though, it's the municipality who must initiate the process, perhaps through advice and mediation. Renters will need to relocate within the same town and give up at least 15 square meters of living space to qualify for a 3,000 euro grant. For every square meter beyond that, an additional 100 euros can be applied for. The Tenants' Association has expressed some reservations about this offer, while the Association of Towns and Municipalities is all for it.
The pressure on the housing market is legitimate. According to statistics, 37,247 apartments were built in the southwest in 2023. However, a study by the Institute of the German Economy in Cologne indicates a demand of 53,100 apartments per year - a whopping 16,000 more. Especially families in big cities spend months hunting for affordable, roomy apartments. The Minister, Nicole Razavi (CDU), believes that "The living space bonus rewards proactive apartment changes, making larger apartments available for families."
The Tenants' Association acknowledges the incentives for apartment exchanges, but they have concerns. As Olaf Kierstein-Hartmann, head of the state association, pointed out, "Over time, bonuses may not cover the increased living costs after the move." There's also a risk that municipalities might use the bonuses for purposes other than their intended goal. The ministry insists that they legally cannot pay the bonus directly to renters. Instead, a new funding program with greater bureaucratic effort would have been needed. "The current solution is quicker and less bureaucratic," a spokeswoman explains.
The budget for the bonus is initially one million euros, and renters can apply for it right away. The Association of Towns and Municipalities sees benefits in this funding approach: it's a valuable step towards preventing housing pressure from escalating; however, it's not a replacement for comprehensive political discussions on the subject, and there's still unnecessary bureaucracy regarding the distribution of the bonuses.
City examples, such as Mannheim and Lörrach, have experimented with moving bonuses for renters who move to apartments that are at least one room smaller since the beginning of the year. Some cities, like Marbach am Neckar and Stuttgart, have tested this concept but eventually phased it out due to low demand or other reasons.
材料：市政府迫 corner 下調整
- This downsizing initiative in Baden-Württemberg offers a bonus of up to 7,500 euros for municipalities that encourage their residents to move into smaller apartments.
- The new community policy incentivizes renters to relocate within the same town and give up at least 15 square meters of living space to qualify for a 3,000 euro grant.
- With this new policy, municipalities can also apply for additional funding of 100 euros for every square meter beyond the initial 15.
- The housing market in Baden-Württemberg seems to be in high demand, as statistics show a need for 16,000 more apartments per year compared to the 37,247 built in 2023.
- The Tenants' Association appreciates the incentives for apartment exchanges but voiced concerns over whether the bonuses would cover the increased living costs following the move.
- The policy also introduces a funding approach that allows renters to apply for the bonus right away, which some experts view as a valuable step towards preventing further housing pressure.
