SPD is fighting rental usury: 6,500 new social housing required!

SPD is fighting rental usury: 6,500 new social housing required!

Berlin, Deutschland - On May 24, 2025, the Berlin SPD presented measures against the ongoing lack of housing and rising rents at its state party conference. In view of the upcoming House of Representatives election in the coming year, the topic of absolute priority for party leadership. An application was decided that provides for the construction of 6,500 social housing annually, which represents an increase compared to the 5,000 sought so far. Among other things, this Initiative is to be financed by federal funds in order to achieve a sustainable solution for the precarious living situation in the capital, which has been shaped by an increasing number of rent increases for years, as [wsws.://www.wsws.org/de/artics/2025/21/wohn-a21.hml)

The deputy SPD state chairman Mathias Schulz called for effective measures against usury rents and the false own requirement at the party congress. The proposal is also supported to set up a strong state office to combat violations and excessive rents. Schulz also spoke out for the creation of his own department of the public prosecutor in order to punish rental usury faster and to create fairer living conditions.

rising rental prices in Berlin

The rents in major German cities have increased in recent years. In Berlin, the average rents of offer rose to EUR 15.74 per square meter in 2024, which corresponds to an increase of 12.5 % compared to the previous year. In view of this increase, many Berliners can no longer manage the high rents. Average earners can only afford every fourth offered apartment, while it is only every twentieth apartment for people with low incomes. A study by the Investment Bank Berlin points out that the population of Berlin has grown by 312,000 to 3.78 million in the past ten years, which further tightens the pressure on the housing market.

In recent years, the number of social housing in Berlin has greatly reduced. There are currently almost 90,000 social housing, which is in context to the 150,000 new social housing until 2030, as the Pestel Institute demands. The number of homeless people rises rapidly. The lack of affordable living space is increasingly perceived as a social explosives.

political measures and outlook

The coalition agreement between the Union and SPD does not provide for sufficient funds for the construction of affordable living space, despite the increasing demand. Critics complain that the program points on housing policy mainly benefit real estate companies. It is also feared that the extended rental price brake, which should apply by the end of 2029, will be inadequate in its current form. For example, it allows rent increases up to the local comparison rent plus 10 %, which could continue to burden many tenants.

Overall, the situation remains tense. The SPD state party conference has initiated steps in the right direction, but the devil is in detail. It remains to be seen whether the planned measures will actually have the necessary effect, especially against the background of the urban challenges and the growing population.