Big interview on the topic of housing shortage: "We need solutions now"

The finding is alarming for the social organizations - and it must be for all of us.

“You can't get a three-room apartment under 1000 euros in Weilheim,” says Thomas Koterba, who took over the management of the Catholic Caritas Association in the district in July: “I wonder how much people have to earn money today to get one To be able to support the family. "

Weilheim -

Stefan Helm, who has been managing director of the Protestant Diakonie Oberland for almost two years, knows: "Even normal wage earners can often no longer afford the rents in Weilheim and the surrounding area." Nails.

This can be seen in a conversation with our newspaper, in which Helm (53) and Koterba (56) raise their voices together for the first time.

How often does the topic of "housing shortage" arise at Diakonie and Caritas in Weilheim?

Stefan Helm: With our consultants every day.

It is the topic, especially when advising people with a migration history.

But it is also a huge problem for single parents to find an affordable apartment.

It used to be said that you need around 30 percent of your income for rent, today we are often at least 50 percent.

For many, this is not affordable.

Even normal earners can often no longer afford the rents in Weilheim and the surrounding area.

And it is taking too long for the slowly beginning political efforts to produce results.

We need solutions now.

Thomas Koterba: From the side of federal and state politics, so my impression, there has been a lot of hot air so far. For example: You proudly report how many apartments have been created with social ties, but do not mention that twice as many older apartments have fallen out of social commitment in the same period ... While we are talking here, we are walking in the rooms next door Debtor and insolvency advice, and “affordable housing” is always the topic. Many wheels play together here: It is possible that someone would find an affordable apartment in a remote village, but then cannot get to their job because we do not have any functioning public transport in the countryside. Apart from that: Many people hardly pay a ticket to Munich.

Are there too few apartments overall - or are the apartments that exist simply too expensive?

Koterba: Both.

Many apartments in Weilheim are empty, partly for reasons of speculation.

Unfortunately, we no longer have a social market economy in the residential construction sector, everything acts for the benefit of capital.

I can understand every citizen who wants to make the most of it.

But that way, people who don't inherit don't stand a chance.

If you have a lot, you have to make sure that you leave a little something to live on if you have nothing.

Helm: The distribution of living space has always been a problem.

Actually, there is a human right to housing - although it is about an apartment as protection, not as possession.

Everyone has a right to this protection.

The challenge is: How do we create an incentive system that this ideal succeeds, that everyone has a roof over their heads?

This is where the municipalities have a responsibility.

It is also a problem for the community when police, hospital and retail workers cannot afford to live here.

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The managing directors of Kreis-Caritas, Thomas Koterba (r.), And Diakonie Oberland, Stefan Helm (middle), in an interview with editor Magnus Reitinger, demand efforts from politics and business

© Photo: Ruder

What can a municipality do specifically?

Koterba: It can, for example - as Weilheim has already done - issue rules on “socially fair use of land”: that some of the apartments in new building projects of a certain size must be given at a socially discounted rate. There are many municipalities that do not have anything like this yet. In addition, a municipality can see what land it still has or where it has a right of first refusal. Cooperative projects could be implemented there. My wish would be to find a plot of land in Weilheim on which the city makes a start, Caritas and Diakonie join in and we create apartments together - with social ties and a rent that increases at best in line with normal inflation. I also see our responsibility as a charity.

Helm: We have a role model function here, we have to initiate new, innovative projects.

This is also in the interests of our employees.

If I am currently posting a position here, I hardly get applications from outside due to the high rental prices, but only from people who already have an apartment here.

The economy also has an obligation - and an opportunity: a company that has living space also has employees.

The topic of company apartments has huge potential.

Koterba: And then politicians have to provide support.

I do believe that the municipalities and also the district can influence this.

Helm: I fear, however, that politically responsible people often do not even know how challenging it is for people with lower incomes to find affordable housing.

Koterba: We deal with these people on a daily basis and we have to speak out loudly for them.

There is also need in Weilheim, and we have to point this out out loud.

The general election is in a few days.

Do you see convincing concepts in terms of “affordable housing” in the applicants?

Koterba: At the triumph of the Chancellor candidates, I didn't hear very much from those involved, unfortunately that was overshadowed by other topics.

In the party programs, too, I only see what is partially tangible.

Helm: It was really sobering that the social question hardly played a role in the TV trio, with the exception of Ms. Baerbock's reference to the increasing gap between rich and poor.

The discussion about a rent cap will certainly not help us in Weilheim.

It's about smart incentive systems and a good regulatory framework.

Politicians have to take a closer look at the fact that housing cannot be left to the market.

It is a task of political general interest, such as education or the construction of roads.

This also requires pressure from the people - and a network.

How should things go on in Weilheim in this regard?

Koterba: A round table on the subject of “affordable living space” could be a first step towards such a network.

Helm: But it should actually be initiated by the municipality.