Germany’s Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Spatial Planning, Verena Hubertz, has expressed reservations regarding the potential nationalization of private housing companies, arguing that the focus should be on expanding housing supply rather than reversing past privatization.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Minister Hubertz acknowledged previous mistakes in the sale of municipal housing during times of financial strain for local authorities. However, she maintained that simply repurchasing these properties at potentially high costs is not the most effective solution to the current housing challenges. She emphasized the need for increased construction of new housing units, while also advocating for the renovation and repurposing of existing structures.
Hubertz highlighted the slow pace, high costs and insufficient volume of current construction efforts as primary obstacles. She cautioned against relying on allocation schemes in the absence of sufficient housing availability.
Addressing the issue of regional disparities, the Minister refrained from recommending migration to rural areas with available housing, instead advocating for greater investment in making rural living more appealing and sustainable. She stressed the importance of diverse approaches to accommodate the varied nature of the housing crisis and affirmed individual freedom of choice regarding residential location. She made clear she wouldn’t actively promote specific regions or modes of living.