Berlin Falls Short of Housing Construction Goals for Third Consecutive Year

Despite building nearly 50,000 units over three years, Berlin's annual target of 20,000 new homes remains unmet, with challenges expected to persist into 2025.

• Berlin completed approximately 15,000 new housing units in 2024, marking a decline from 17,300 in 2023 and falling short of the annual target of 20,000 units set by the CDU-SPD coalition.
• Bausenator Christian Gaebler emphasized the creation of nearly 50,000 units over three years, housing around 100,000 people, as a positive development despite missing yearly goals.
• The newly passed 'Schneller-Bauen-Gesetz' aims to streamline planning and approval processes, but its impact is not expected to be visible until 2026 due to necessary implementation time.
• Economic uncertainties, high interest rates, and a potential delay in investor confidence due to the upcoming Bundestag election are anticipated to further hinder housing construction in 2025.
• Critics argue Berlin's housing initiatives are failing, but Gaebler defends the city's efforts, highlighting improved investment conditions and ongoing collaboration between government and private sectors.

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