Upper Austrian politics discussed

Three-point plan and reform for housing subsidies

The dream of home ownership - for young families it remains a dream, says the SPÖ.

(Bild: 2021 Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock)

The housing budget is becoming ever smaller and is not being adjusted to inflation, criticized the SPÖ in today's session of the Upper Austrian state parliament. Housing spokesman Peter Binder is even calling for a complete reform.

SPÖ housing spokesman Peter Binder presents the latest figures from Statistics Austria: According to the latest inflation data, residential rents have recently risen by 6.8 percent, with general inflation up 2.9 percent, according to Binder: "In contrast, the housing budget in Upper Austria has been falling for years."

Housing Minister Haimbuchner is continuing the active devaluation of housing subsidies instead of improving the situation.

Abgeordneter Peter Binder, SPÖ

Bild: Land OÖ/ Denise Stinglmayr

In 2009, the share of the housing budget in relation to the state budget was still 6.2 percent, in 2023 it was only 3.7 percent, Binder demands a change of course in the state.

"Housing budget not adjusted to inflation!"
Binder in an interview with the "Krone": "The housing budget is not even adjusted for inflation. Housing Minister Manfred Haimbuchner is thus continuing the active devaluation of housing subsidies instead of improving the lives of Upper Austrians."

For this reason, the SPÖ is proposing the implementation of a three-point plan: Specifically, Binder is talking about increasing the budget for non-profit housing, doubling the loan amount for private homes (this currently stands at a good €100,000 per house builder) and repairing the housing subsidy. At today's session of the provincial parliament, the SPÖ is tabling a general motion to reform the housing subsidy. A majority for this is unlikely.