Wohnfonds_wien (Fund for Housing Construction and Urban Renewal) was established by the City of Vienna in 1984 as a not-for-profit, limited-profit organization tasked with providing land for subsidized housing and overseeing the restoration of Vienna’s older buildings. Its formation marked a strategic move to regulate the city’s land market and ensure continued access to affordable, high-quality housing for a broad population.
By 2018, wohnfonds_wien had accumulated over 3.2 million square meters of land, facilitating the creation of more than 51,400 subsidized new apartments since its inception. The foundation coordinates between property developers, municipal departments, and service centers, and organizes public developer competitions for projects—often on city-owned land or where more than 500 subsidized apartments are planned. These competitions assess submissions based on architecture, ecology, economy, and social sustainability, promoting high standards in both new construction and renovation.
A notable focus is on the general renovation of occupied private apartment blocks, as well as the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings from the 1950s to 1970s under the “Thewosan” program, designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Current examples of wohnfonds_wien-guided projects include large-scale, mixed-use developments such as “Sonnwendviertel” and “aspern Seestadt.” The organization plays a vital role in maintaining Vienna’s reputation for innovative urban planning and social cohesion within its housing policy, focusing on the needs and quality of life for Vienna’s residents.