-by Julija Karimzanova (project manager and coordinator of LT.art Vienna)

When the prices of real estate in cities rise all around the world, the question of accommodation becomes crucial. In recent years, the developments of the international financial markets were one of the main reasons for continuous increases in apartment prices. Therefore an increasing number of low and middle-income people in the EU struggle to finance their housing needs. They have to find homes more and more in houses with poor conditions.

The history of cities, regions, and countries within the world evolved quite differently. Therefore the housing situation differs a lot and we now face a broad variety of housing conditions, political strategies, and housing systems.

Vienna is the most liveable city in the world and social housing contributes significantly to this fact. With its affordable and attractive places to live, Vienna is becoming the highest international standard when it comes to social housing. Unlike other cities, Vienna does not leave rents and land prices solely for the free market. In Vienna’s case, government-subsidized housing is rented out by the municipality or non-profit housing associations.

The roots of this extraordinary innovative urban planning lie in the “Red Vienna” period when thousands of municipal buildings were built. The aim was to provide affordable homes of good quality for the majority of the population, but in reality, much more was achieved. The housing scheme created complexes that met the criteria of giving people access to light and fresh apartments, while also providing them with nurseries, schools, lending libraries, and communal facilities such as laundry rooms.

People with low incomes in Vienna receive assistance, just as they do elsewhere. However, Vienna also invests in new housing and the renovation of old buildings, so the Viennese have an advantage of both systems. One of the differences between Vienna and other cities is that social housing flats are incorporated here in all districts and most of them are mixed with privately owned flats in the buildings. This keeps the rent down and ensures a real mish-mash of people living together.

Around 80 percent of the city’s residents are eligible to apply for social housing. The Austrian capital is the most prominent public owner of social housing estates in Europe.

Vienna is well-known for its standard of living and the size of its Gemeindebau (social housing) scene plays a huge part in the character of the city and this high standard of living. While most governments in the developed world have sold off most of their social housing and ceased building more, Vienna is still building plenty today.

In this podcast episode, NARA journalists researched the social housing program in Vienna and have provided a thorough analysis of Vienna’s situation and how the city is working on its goal to provide affordable and good quality housing for as many people as possible.

NARA is produced by a collective of journalists and media professionals whose work relies on the principles of ethical journalism, research, and respect for their interviewees. The podcast was a part of the LT.art Vienna festival’s program and has been selected in the list of 10 most listened podcasts in 2021.

Resources:
Vienna remains the world’s most liveable city
Social Housing in Vienna
Vienna's Affordable Housing Paradise

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME YOU CAN AFFORD