Social housing assistance

type: Article , Topic: Building & Housing

In Germany, social housing assistance aims to support those households which would otherwise not be able to find appropriate accommodation on the housing market.

In addition to social housing assistance, housing benefit as rent support is another important government instrument of social solidarity ensuring an adequate supply of housing.

In Germany, social housing assistance aims to support those households which would otherwise not be able to find appropriate accommodation on the housing market. These include, in particular, low-income households and families and other households with children, lone parents, pregnant women, the elderly, the disabled, the homeless and others in need.

The means available under social housing programmes are intended to provide affordable rental housing and to support owner-occupied housing, particularly families with children. Many federal states and municipalities also provide funding to create new accessible housing.

As part of policies to promote the provision of rental accommodation, fixing maximum rents and setting up occupancy requirements are considered justified instruments. Beneficiaries (e. g. housing companies, cooperatives and individual builders) receive preferential loans or subsidies, for example. There is no right to funding assistance.

In return, beneficiaries of housing assistance agree to let accommodation for which they received funds from social housing programmes only to entitled households. Entitlement for accommodation under social housing programmes depends on the household income level and is determined by the competent authorities. If the household income does not exceed the relevant threshold, there is a legal entitlement to social housing assistance, but this does not imply a right to be provided with a particular residential space. It is generally up to landlords to select a tenant from the group of entitled candidates.

The federal states have had sole responsibility for funding social housing provision since the 2006 reform of the federal structure of Germany. The Federal Government provides financial support.

Responsibility for social housing promotion has been with the Länder (federal states) since the federalism reform of 2006. The Bund (federation) provides financial support.