Angespannter Wohnungsmarkt: Berliner Wohnungskrise: Vonovia will „Teil der Lösung“ sein

Vonovia, a major German real estate company, is taking an active role in addressing Berlin's housing crisis. In an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Vonovia Managing Director Luka Mucic emphasized the company's commitment to being part of the solution. The CEO stated that Vonovia has constructed around 1,000 new housing units in Berlin and has built 6,000 since 2013.

While acknowledging that this is a drop in the ocean, Mucic highlighted the company's contribution to alleviating the pressing situation on the Berlin housing market.

One of the key campaign themes during the upcoming election in Berlin is the strained state of the accommodation market. Mucic underscored Vonovia's commitment to affordable housing, with the average rent in the company's portfolio standing at 8.26 euros per square meter in June, rising to 10.80 euros for new rentals. Mucic reiterated that Vonovia's ownership of less than eight percent of Berlin's total housing stock limits its capacity to single-handedly resolve the crisis.

In addition to constructing new housing units, Vonovia is also focused on upgrading its existing properties, particularly through energy-efficient modernization. This approach not only improves the overall livability of the apartments but also helps to reduce utility costs, contributing to the affordability of housing. The company invests significantly in such projects, leveraging its size to introduce innovative methods for retrofitting and developing its housing stock.

Despite its substantial portfolio, Vonovia (which owns about 130,000 apartments in Berlin) remains a modest player in the city's housing landscape. The company is nonchalant about suggestions to take over large housing blocks, dismissing such ideas as ineffective. Instead, Mucic advocates for creating an enabling environment that encourages more new construction.

He expressed confidence in the upcoming decision by Berlin's coalition committee, which recently approved a ban on state-level confiscation of rental properties. However, Mucic emphasized the importance of implementing the ban effectively and legally to ensure its success.