Disregarded or Overlooked
In the heart of Chorweiler, a bustling district in Cologne, Germany, a heated debate over housing policy is unfolding between the SPD and Left parties. The disagreements stem from differing views on how to improve the housing situation, particularly in the face of the impending sale of several apartments.
The city administration learned about the sale of the apartments through an official press release, after it had already been notarized. The apartments, currently owned by a financial fund of Volksbanks/Raiffeisen banks, are set to be sold to another fund.
Jochen Ott, an SPD politician, had initiated the purchase of 1200 apartments in Chorweiler in 2016, which were under compulsory administration. However, this time, it appears that the SPD has been beaten to the initiative by the Left party, led by Michael Weisenstein.
Weisenstein, concerned about poor living conditions in 600 apartments in Chorweiler and Seeberg, has advocated for the city or its housing company GAG to buy and renovate the apartments. He has been critical of the city administration's decision not to exercise its pre-emption right to purchase the 600 apartments in Chorweiler.
The Left party has been campaigning for a more social housing policy in the local elections, and Weisenstein wishes for more transparency regarding the sale of large housing stocks in the city. He believes that the cost of this action, estimated to be around 60 million euros, could be funded from the state of NRW.
The SPD, on the other hand, tends to support more moderate and pragmatic social policies, balancing affordable housing with market realities. They might be cautious about exercising pre-emption rights too aggressively to avoid market distortions and maintain good relations with private investors.
The application from the Left and Climate Friends/GUT was referred to the Liegenschaftsausschuss with a broad majority in mid-June, but found no initial support in the council. Despite the failure of the motion, it has initiated a much-needed debate about the housing situation in Chorweiler and Seeberg.
Lena Teschlade, an SPD state parliamentarian from Cologne North, is now committed to the district, following in the footsteps of Jochen Ott's initiative. The disagreements between the SPD and the Left parties are expected to continue as both parties strive to improve the housing situation in Chorweiler and ensure the best outcomes for the city's tenants.
- The ongoing disagreements between the SPD and Left parties in Chorweiler, Cologne, revolve around policy-and-legislation and politics, particularly concerning housing policy and the impending sale of several apartments.
- The general-news of the housing situation in Chorweiler and Seeberg has sparked a debate, with the Left party advocating for more social housing and the SPD favoring a more moderate approach, demanding more transparency and balancing affordable housing with market realities.
