Macht der Immobilienkonzerne: Bei der Wohnungsfrage geht es um Demokratie

Resource Overview

The article “Macht der Immobilienkonzerne: Bei der Wohnungsfrage geht es um Demokratie” is published by the German newspaper taz. Author Georg Diez, also a researcher at ProjectTogether and fellow at the Max‑Planck‑Institute for Religious and Ethnic Diversity, contributes investigative journalism on housing policy. The piece examines the democratic implications of insufficient housing in Germany and proposes systemic, sustainable solutions.

Scale of the Housing Shortage

According to a study by the Pestel Institute, West Germany lacks approximately 1.2 million dwellings. At the same time, there is a significant vacancy rate in office buildings, indicating a mismatch between existing stock and residential needs. The article highlights that around 16 million single‑ and double‑family houses exist on city outskirts; converting just 10 % of these into two separate units could create 1.6 million new homes, potentially quadrupling the annual construction targets announced by politicians.

Systemic Thinking vs. Linear Policies

The text criticises the prevailing “build more” response as linear and mechanistic. It argues that sustainable housing requires a shift toward systemic thinking, integrating ownership structures, financing models, and regulatory reforms such as building‑law adjustments and federal‑state coordination. The author stresses that without addressing the political economy of real‑estate, incremental construction will not resolve the underlying scarcity.

European Context and Sustainable Models

While focusing on Germany, the article references broader European challenges, noting that many countries face similar vacancy‑to‑need imbalances. It suggests experimenting with adaptive reuse of existing structures, shared‑ownership schemes, and community‑driven development as pathways to sustainable, affordable housing that align with EU climate and social cohesion goals.

Data‑Driven Proposals

Key figures presented include:

• 1.2 million missing homes in West Germany.
• 16 million peripheral houses; a 10 % conversion rate yields 1.6 million additional units.
• Current political construction promises fall far short of these potential gains. The author also cites the success of New York’s progressive mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who leveraged housing policy to win election, illustrating the political viability of ambitious housing reforms.

Practical Recommendations

The article outlines concrete actions:

1. Re‑evaluate zoning and building codes to allow easier subdivision of existing homes.
2. Promote financing mechanisms that lower barriers for cooperative or community ownership.
3. Encourage public‑private partnerships focused on retrofitting vacant office space into residential units.
4. Strengthen federal frameworks to harmonise regional housing strategies across Europe.

Supporting Evidence and Sources

The piece draws on the Pestel Institute study, academic calculations by Andreas Hild of TU München, and references to recent publications “Abundance” (Klein & Thompson) and “Breakneck” (Dan Wang), which discuss housing as a cross‑cutting challenge intersecting climate, capitalism, and social equity.

Call to Action and Funding

taz emphasizes its non‑profit, reader‑supported model, urging contributions to sustain independent journalism that can continue to highlight and scrutinise housing policy. The article positions informed public discourse as essential for democratic accountability in addressing the housing crisis.