WohnRaum Niedersachsen GmbH is the state-owned housing company of Lower Saxony, established to help increase the supply of affordable rental housing in the state. The company was founded on 14 December 2023, following a cabinet decision earlier that month; the State of Lower Saxony is its sole shareholder.12 Its registered company seat is in Hannover, in the city’s List district.
The company operates across Lower Saxony, with a focus on regions where housing need is high, particularly urban areas. Its stated role is to complement existing public and cooperative housing providers and private companies, working with municipalities and local partners.11 Rather than initially taking on most construction itself, it aims to acquire projects that are already planned and ready for development but lack an investor, helping bring them into construction.15 Its acquisition criteria include locations within Lower Saxony and a preference for larger centres with tight housing markets; the company seeks projects with a high share of publicly subsidised rental homes.14
The company is developing a state-owned housing portfolio through these acquisitions. One example is its first announced new-build investment in Hannover’s Ehlers Höfe development: partners are building 133 homes for the company, including 48 subsidised units, with completion planned by the end of 2027.13 The company’s managing director is Michael Molz, who took up the role in September 2026.16 At its establishment, the company received €100 million in start-up capital.3