Leftists demand more money for social housing

The Left Party in the Saxon state parliament is demanding more money for the construction of social housing. The background to this is the federal government's announcement to gradually increase funding for this area from the current 3.5 billion to 5.5 billion euros by 2028. According to the distribution formula, five percent of this money would flow to Saxony each year, provided that the Free State contributes 30 percent as co-financing, calculated MP Juliane Nagel (Left Party). In 2025, Saxony will receive 149.5 million euros from the federal government for this purpose, with the Free State's share amounting to just under 50 million euros.

Left: Saxony must provide more co-financing

"The announcements from the federal government are also good news for Saxony. However, in order to be able to use more federal funds for social housing construction, the state must provide more money for co-financing," emphasized Nagel.

Saxony needs far more social housing than is possible with the available funds. Between 2017 and 2024, only 2,141 social housing units were built here, but at least 11,095 more are needed. If the current level of funding is maintained, it would take more than three decades to reach this figure.

The left-wing parliamentary group also spoke out in favor of fundamentally different social housing subsidies. The subsidy rates must be adjusted to the rising construction costs, the rising rents on offer must be adequately taken into account and the social commitments must be extended, Nagel emphasized. "Social housing should remain social housing forever. To achieve this, the state must develop model projects with public and non-profit housing companies and promote them."