bolstering housing construction in Schleswig-Holstein - Suggestions at the state party gathering
Advocating for Increased Housing Developments - Proposal Presented at the State Political Party Gathering - Initiative by SPD: Advocating for Increased Housing Development - Motion Proposed to National Congress
Let's delve into the plans of the Schleswig-Holstein chapter of the SPD as they strive to supercharge housing construction. At their convention in Husum this weekend, they'll be discussing a motion that offers strategies to simplify and expedite the housing construction process. One proposition under consideration? Restoring the Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft (LEG), a state development company, that was previously shuttered, with skepticism from Kiel's mayor and deputy state chairman, Ulf Kämpfer, that its dispersal was a mistake, as reported by the German Press Agency.
The LEG could be responsible for developing state-owned land and expanding their own housing portfolio, potentially including dwellings for state employees. "I see a prosperous opportunity for the state in this," emphasized Kämpfer.
Boosting social housing funding
Would the state need to splash the cash on this endeavor? Not necessarily, according to Kämpfer. Schleswig-Holstein has Fort Knox-like reserves of land. "Community-focused housing construction and profitability aren't mortal enemies," he quipped.
The motion also calls for a yearly funding increase for social housing to a whopping one billion euros, with the state footing the bill for around 20 million euros in annual subsidized credits at the current interest rate level, said Kämpfer. "That's the stuff of will, not incapability," he confidently declared.
Streamlined processes and pronto permissions
Other facets of the motion touch upon making the construction process swifter and more straightforward. The aim is to introduce a "Schleswig-Holstein standard for simplified construction". This would enable deviations from construction regulations and typical standards with greater ease, simplify the state building code, and iron out inconsistencies with other federal states.
Type approvals from one state should be usable across borders, and the validity of building permits should be stretched from three to five years.
Regulations for the planning of living space should mimic those for renewable energy expansion, making housing a matter of “overriding public interest.”
Easing the real estate market for first-time buyers
To make the purchase of residential property more accessible, the motion backs a reduction in real estate transfer tax for first-time buyers in the form of a tax rebate.
As for national efforts to alleviate Germany's housing shortage, the incoming federal government is planning a "housing construction turbo" law to speed up construction, including streamlined regulations, consolidated subsidies, and easier municipal approval of plans[3]. A recent study suggests the country requires an additional 100,000 social housing units yearly to keep up with demand[3]. Additionally, local initiatives such as citizens' assemblies are being explored by cities like Hamburg to potentially tackle housing issues[5].
While the specifics of Schleswig-Holstein SPD's proposals remain elusive without additional information from local sources or official Schleswig-Holstein SPD communications, let's keep our eyes on the prize: more housing for all!
- Ulf Kämpfer, the Schleswig-Holstein chapter of the SPD's deputy state chairman, has proposed restoring the Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft (LEG) to help bolster housing construction in the region, with the aim of developing state-owned land and expanding its housing portfolio, potentially including dwellings for state employees.
- To simplify and expedite the housing construction process, the motion also calls for streamlined construction processes, including introducing a "Schleswig-Holstein standard for simplified construction", which would enable deviations from construction regulations with greater ease, simplify the state building code, and iron out inconsistencies with other federal states.
- To make the purchase of residential property more accessible, particularly for first-time buyers, the motion backs a reduction in real estate transfer tax in the form of a tax rebate.
- As part of the motion, there is a proposal for a substantial boost in social housing funding, with the state committing to provide around 20 million euros in annual subsidized credits at the current interest rate level, and a call for the funding of social housing to increase to a billion euros yearly.
