"Reserve" building land

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler launches housing offensive

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Private housing prices have been going through the roof for years, and the horrendous housing costs are becoming an ever-increasing problem, even for the middle class. The SPÖ now wants to counteract these developments and is presenting its own housing program.

After ÖVP Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer presented his "Austria Plan" and launched an offensive for owner-occupied housing, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler is now also presenting his - completely different - plans. According to the red plan, at least 50 percent of newly designated building land should be reserved for non-profit housing - by constitutional provision.

Vienna as a good example
Increased construction activity by non-profit organizations would boost the construction industry. "This would slow down inflation, relieve the burden on employees and boost the economy by increasing construction activity in social housing," says Babler, referring to the poor economic forecasts.

There are already examples of this dedication policy. In Vienna, as much as two thirds of newly dedicated building land is reserved for non-profit housing.

Babler also wants to discuss measures against the hoarding of building land for speculative purposes. One approach would be to modernize the Land Acquisition Act introduced during the Kreisky era. Building land hoarded for speculative purposes should be transferred from private speculators to local authorities and non-profit organizations when there is a shortage of affordable housing. To this end, the cases in which the law can be applied are to be extended and handling is to be made easier for local authorities. The SPÖ Expert Council has already been commissioned to draw up reform proposals.

Intervention in the event of market failure
The aim is to ensure that existing and future building land is developed with affordable housing. Possibilities are to be created for the municipalities to intervene in the event of market failure and to use land hoarded for speculative purposes for social housing.