The Association of German Cities is calling on the new federal government to quickly reform building laws. "For more housing construction, we not only need more money, but also simpler processes," said association president Markus Lewe (CDU) at the annual general meeting in Hanover. The Lord Mayor of Münster supported the boost to social housing construction announced in the coalition agreement and the planned investment fund. Beyond this, however, there must finally be an amendment to the building code.
"What we are currently experiencing in many cities is unsettling many people," said Lewe. "If the rent in the city is pushing people to their financial limits, then we have a problem," said the CDU politician.
Bringing cities out of financial overstretch
Another key topic addressed by Lewe at the conference of the Association of German Cities was social security, which brings together around 3,200 German cities and municipalities. "In the coming years, we will have to ensure that we maintain social security for the people in our cities - and at the same time get the cities out of financial overstretch, including through social benefits," said the President of the Association of Cities and Towns.
Lewe is expected to hand over the leadership of the association to Leipzig's Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung this afternoon in Hanover. The SPD politician is set to become President of the Association of German Cities for the second time. He already held the office from 2019 to 2021 and is currently Vice President.
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