Serious allegations against Vonovia: Professor criticizes housing policy in Dresden

Serious allegations against Vonovia: Professor criticizes housing policy in Dresden

Dresden.At an unusual press conference in the town hall, which was actually intended to announce cooperation between the city of Dresden and the police, Professor Marcel Schöne from the Saxon Police College presented his study on housing policy in Dresden. This presentation revealed significant problems, particularly with regard to the practices of the housing company Vonovia, which received serious allegations. Schöne explained that the company's policies contribute to crime and social conflict in neighborhoods such as Gorbitz and Prohlis. His central claim was: “Vonovia creates its own problems.”

The press conference was not without explosiveness. Vonovia representatives were not present and only found out about the results of the study through media reports. Matthias Wulff, a spokesman for the company, described this development as “unpleasant”.

Vonovia: Commitment and criticism

Professor Schöne describes that he and his team received important data for their study in February as part of a visit to the neighborhoods organized by Vonovia. “We welcome the fact that research is being carried out in difficult parts of the city,” said Wulff. But when the researchers wanted deeper insights, communication stopped. Vonovia no longer responded to repeated requests to provide information.

The research results make it clear that Vonovia plays a crucial role in the creation of social hotspots in the city. Schöne reported on a pronounced segregation of tenant groups in the different residential areas. As elderly and low-income people live together in close quarters, this often creates tension and increases the risk of harmful behavior.

Social differences and crime rates

The study shows that crime, including crimes against sexual self-determination, is noticeably high in areas like Prohlis and Gorbitz. Schöne emphasizes that the type of apartment concept and Vonovia's rental practices make these problems more likely to come to light. However, similar problems remain hidden in chic neighborhoods, leading to a distorted perception of crime between different social classes.

In the past, the new apartments in Gorbitz and Prohlis were considered modern, but they are now socially stigmatized. Schöne speaks of “ghettoization tendencies” and proves with his studies that living space is not distributed randomly, but that specific groups are specifically accommodated in specific residential complexes. This not only leads to an increased perception of crime, but also to an increased risk for residents themselves.

The housing situation in Dresden reflects a complex interplay of social and economic factors. In particular, the claim that Vonovia no longer wants to invest money in the renovation of certain houses adds a further dimension to the debate. This strategy could in fact be aimed at later selling the properties back to the city for a profit.

The city administration has not yet commented comprehensively on the results of the study. Mayor Jan Donhauser promised to examine the study more closely and to hold discussions with all relevant stakeholders.

The problems presented by Marcel Schöne and the unanswered questions highlight the challenges that the city of Dresden must overcome in terms of housing policy and social integration. Vonovia is trying to refute the allegations by emphasizing that the company worked with the city to distribute occupancy rights more evenly. But Schöne remains skeptical and remarks: “Very few people live there because they want to live there.”