States that do not meet the quota for the reception of asylum seekers must pay fines. This was demanded during a joint press conference on Monday by the asylum coordination, the mayor of Traiskirchen, Andreas Babler (SPÖ), actress Katharina Stemberger and migration researcher Judith Kohlenberger. The announced contribution to the cost of living for landlords must be financed with this.
A “sustainable solution to the housing crisis” can only be achieved if sufficient housing is created in the states, said Lukas Gahleitner-Gertz of the asylum coordination.
“The cost of living adjustment has been announced, but nothing has happened yet,” he criticized. “Time is of the essence.” Many private landlords are out of breath. “Sanctions are needed here, fines are needed here,” he demanded.
The 15a agreement between the federal and state governments on the reception of asylum seekers is “correct on paper,” Babler said. “But it’s a toothless deal,” he said in favor of more commitment.
Bulk Storage Conditions
For months, about 2,000 people have been in Traiskirchen’s first reception center, while about 1,300 asylum seekers are housed throughout the entire state basic health care system in Lower Austria, Babler criticized the “mass camp conditions”. “They are trying to artificially create the fearsome image of Traiskirchen,” he said. For the first time, the system also created homeless refugees. Political leaders who cause harm to people through their actions are ‘the very last thing’, Babeler said sharply.
Migration expert Kohlenberger noted a “blatant denial of responsibility by the states and the federal government”. Austria has entered the housing crisis “with seeing eyes and with great difficulty”. She also criticized the fact that failure to meet the quota was not penalized. “Only offering external border control as an answer to the challenges in asylum policy is too short-term.”
Accommodation provider criticizes bureaucratic hurdles
The private landlord Hannes Gollowitzer, who, together with his family, has accommodated four refugees from the Ukraine in his parental home in Burgenland, also feels abandoned by politics. He complained that there were more bureaucratic hurdles than government support. A lack of financial support is also a problem for many private landlords, especially given the rising prices.
“Everyone has the right to a fair asylum procedure and humane accommodation,” emphasizes Stemberger, president of the “Courage – Courage for Humanity” initiative. “To find shelter today is not an act of mercy, but a right,” says the actress.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
