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Germany Faces Rising Overcrowding Crisis as Rent Freeze Debate Intensifies

With 11.5% of residents living in overcrowded homes, policymakers clash over building reforms and national rent controls.

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Overview

  • New Eurostat data reveals that 11.5% of German residents live in overcrowded housing, nearly double the rate from 2014, but still below the EU average of 16.9%.
  • Overcrowding disproportionately impacts younger individuals and those at risk of poverty, highlighting demographic disparities in housing access.
  • BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht has renewed calls for a nationwide five-year rent freeze, criticizing private developers for failing to provide affordable housing.
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz remains committed to his 'Bauen, Bauen, Bauen' strategy, emphasizing construction and regulatory reforms to address housing shortages.
  • Housing Minister Verena Hubertz is preparing legislation to streamline municipal land designation processes, aiming to expedite affordable housing development.