Affordable housing - associations call for deregulation

In the face of rising costs for housing, electricity and heating, representatives of the housing and energy industry in Saxony are calling for greater scope for trade. Excessive regulation must be limited, demanded the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU), the Association of Saxon Housing Cooperatives (VSWG) and the Association of the Housing and Real Estate Industry (VDW) at a joint press conference in Dresden.

Billions in investment needed to achieve climate targets

The associations warn of drastic economic and social consequences if the next German government does not act decisively. Investments worth billions are needed to achieve the climate targets, said VKU Regional Managing Director Florian Gräßler. He called for pragmatism and realism from politicians when it comes to the energy and climate transition.

"We want practical laws that are underpinned by appropriate measures and financial aid," said Gräßler. The ecological issue must not become a social issue. Social cushioning is a state task.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, 34 billion euros have been invested in the socially oriented housing industry in Saxony, said VSWG board member Mirjam Philipp. The housing stock has now been "thoroughly renovated". In order to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, as stipulated by the federal government, the same amount would be necessary. Philipp emphasized that this goal should not be lost sight of. But we need more time and money.

"The limits of resilience have been reached"

"The limits of resilience of socially oriented landlords and the people who live with us have been reached," said Alexander Müller, Director of the VDW in Saxony. They should not be crushed by oversized requirements, some of which are completely misguided.

Philipp also called for less paternalism from politicians. As an example, she cited the Building Energy Act, with which the current German government wants to promote the installation of climate-friendly heating systems and encourage the replacement of old gas and oil heating systems.

"It would be nice if this law no longer existed," she said. According to her, its implementation would involve major investments that would result in rent increases of 1.60 euros per square meter. Neither tenants nor landlords would be able to afford this money.