German Real Estate Association Calls for Priority in Affordable Housing Projects
The head of the German Association of Real Estate and Housing Companies, Axel Gedaschko, has urged the prioritization of housing projects for affordable living. “We need a ‘fast lane’ for housing” he said in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, “which means that a weighing priority is placed like a shield over all other laws, when it comes to concrete projects, concrete planning and concrete urban planning.”
Gedaschko emphasized that not only in Germany, but also across Europe, there is a “giant problem” with a lack of affordable housing. “In all of Europe, we have a real drama” he said, “people are cross with what has been done in Europe and its countries.” He recently presented his proposal for a ‘fast lane’ to the first EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen and builders. Ultimately, it requires more tempo on all levels.
Gedaschko also observed that local authorities have reservations about serial building, which could quickly alleviate the pressure. “They say, ‘we don’t want that, Plate 2.0,’ and they don’t even consider it” he criticized. However, mass production has many fans, “it’s today’s Haute Couture from the rack, looks super.