More forced evictions in Saxony - Left Party calls for action

The number of forced evictions in Saxony rose again in 2024. Bailiffs carried out 2,704 evictions last year, according to an answer from Justice Minister Constanze Geiert (CDU) to a question from the left-wing parliamentary group. The district cities of Leipzig (675), Dresden (544) and Chemnitz (233) were particularly affected. According to the figures, there were 2,642 evictions in 2023.

"Ending up on the street is a terrible blow for anyone," says Juliane Nagel, housing policy spokesperson for the Left Party, according to a press release. In most cases, rent debts lead to eviction, and even two months' rent arrears can lead to eviction.

Left party calls for state-wide strategy against housing loss

The Left party believes that the state government has a duty to combat and prevent housing emergencies and is calling for a state-wide strategy. "The Free State must help the municipalities to prevent the loss of housing," said Nagel. The means she mentioned were taking over rent debts through loans, debt counseling and offers of help for people at risk of losing their homes. Saxony also needs an offensive for more social housing construction.

In her response, Justice Minister Geiert referred to a lack of interest on the part of local authorities. As part of the "Housing First" pilot project, which was carried out in Leipzig from 2021 to 2023, a guideline for action was developed, which is now also available to other municipalities. However, according to Geiert, the grants planned in the 2024 budget for homelessness assistance projects were not called up and used for other purposes.