FPÖ calls for changes to housing allocation: Who gets the apartments?

FPÖ calls for changes to housing allocation: Who gets the apartments?

In Salzburg there is a simmering situation in housing construction and at the political level, while the Freedom Party (FPÖ) is taking up an explosive issue: the housing allocation guidelines. This discussion was reignited by the FPÖ's accusation that the current housing allocation discriminates against local service providers. FPÖ club leader Paul Dürnberger criticizes that asylum seekers are given undue preference. A rethink of the guidelines is essential, according to the appeal of the FPÖ, which explicitly wants to give preference to more people with permanent employment contracts instead of those who are dependent on social welfare salzburg.orf.at reported.

In the midst of this debate, the state government also decided to significantly adjust the income limits for receiving housing benefit. From January 1, 2025, the limits for one-person households will be raised to 1,351.40 euros and for two-person households to 2,128.60 euros. These changes come as part of the annual adjustment and are intended to ensure that housing assistance remains accessible to many, especially at times of rising living costs and inflation, such as fpoe-ooe.at reported. According to housing officer Dr. Manfred Haimbuchner, this measure is an important step towards relieving the financial burden on many households and underlines the persistent work of the housing department.

While the FPÖ is fighting to rethink housing allocation, Vice Mayor Kay-Michael Dankl reminds the party that the lower income limits were only decided together with the ÖVP in 2019. A proposal to adapt the guidelines could not be implemented until autumn 2025 at the earliest. The shot from the FPÖ direction not only means a political turf war, but could also lead to fundamental changes in housing construction in Salzburg - depending on how the coming discussion goes.