Package of measures from the alliance: Tyrol's way out of the housing crisis

Package of measures from the alliance: Tyrol's way out of the housing crisis

At a press conference last Monday, the Alliance Against Poverty and Housing Shortage presented a comprehensive position paper that proposes measures to combat the housing shortage in Tyrol. This document consists of 28 points and is aimed at various political levels, including the municipalities, the state and the incoming federal government.

Representatives of the alliance, such as Michael Hennermann, managing director of the association for the homeless, and Julia Schratz from lilawohnt, underlined the urgency of the situation. "The proposals are on the table. What is needed now is the political courage to implement them!" explained Hennermann.

Demands and measures

The alliance sees numerous approaches to the issue of housing shortages and poverty in order to make living in Tyrol affordable again. The representatives particularly called for the fundamental right to housing to be enshrined in constitutional law as well as comprehensive reforms in tenancy law. Julia Schratz warned: "The situation in Tyrol is dramatic. More and more people are living in overpriced, cramped, desolate apartments with no prospect of improvement."

The measures required include an increase in the vacancy tax, targeted measures for property dedication and a fair distribution of non-profit housing. These demands are aimed at actively combating the housing crisis in Tyrol, as the “middle of society” is also increasingly affected by this problem.

For many people, including women from violent relationships, it is now difficult to improve their living situation, not least because of the high housing costs, which also put a strain on other areas of life. “Family tensions increase in cramped apartments, and children do not have enough space and peace to learn,” the alliance continued.

A detailed package of measures

The position paper lists demands for rent subsidies, housing subsidies and housing subsidies in detail. These include, among others:

• Ein Rechtsanspruch auf Mietzins- und Wohnbeihilfe
• Eine sofortige Gewährung der Mietzinsbeihilfe
• Transparente Berechnung der Beihilfen
• Anpassung der Anspruchsvoraussetzungen für Drittstaatangehörige

The alliance also calls on local and regional authorities to actively participate in solving the challenges. “It’s not just the federal government that has to act, but also the state and the municipalities have to live up to their responsibilities,” emphasizes Wilfried Pleger, association manager of Lebenshilfe Tirol.

These far-reaching proposals are part of a comprehensive strategy that aims to not only combat the acute housing shortage, but also address systemic problems in the housing market.

The Alliance Against Poverty and Housing Shortage is optimistic that joint efforts and clarifications at the political level can pave the way to affordable housing. This voice for those affected, who are often underrepresented in the discussion, remains crucial for the future shaping of housing policy in Tyrol. More information and details on the specific demands can be found in the position paper, which is available on the alliance's website.