Housing Reform Initiatives by the SPD

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has laid out a comprehensive plan to address pressing housing issues and enhance support for nursing home residents. Central to this initiative is the proposal to make rent control permanent, thereby safeguarding tenants from excessive rent increases. This includes linking indexed rental contracts to net cold rents and allowing only modest rent hikes in high-demand areas.

In addition to rent control, the SPD aims to cap the personal contributions of nursing home residents to a maximum of 1,000 euros per month. This measure is intended to ease the financial burden on families caring for elderly relatives and to introduce a family care allowance.

To combat the housing shortage, the SPD also plans to limit short-term rentals and tackle the misuse of residential properties. They propose an investment and deregulation offensive, alongside accelerated planning and approval procedures to expedite the construction of new housing units. However, while the party emphasizes the urgency of these reforms, it has yet to specify concrete goals for new home construction, despite a previously stated target of 400,000 new homes per year.

Overall, the SPD’s proposals reflect a commitment to making housing more affordable and ensuring that all residents have access to necessary care services. By positioning the state as a central actor in housing policy, the SPD seeks to create a more equitable living environment for all.