During the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the cabinet announced an increase in heating costs and rent allowance. The package provided for this is worth 450 million euros and another 50 million euros will be made available to protect against evictions. The aim is to “maintain purchasing power” or “continue to give people the assurance that they can continue to pay for their lives”.
These measures, announced by Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner as part of the Council of Ministers, are part of the government’s so-called energy protection umbrella. It contains the following points.
● Next year, the federal government will grant the federal states a one-off grant of a total of 450 million euros.
● In addition, a further EUR 50 million will be made available for support measures under the housing umbrella to create a safety net against evictions.
● The subsidy to the federal states is intended for subsidies for heating and housing costs and is distributed according to the population key.
● The individual modalities are left to the countries. This means that each state can respond to its individual situation – ie different forms of heating and income limits – and guarantee the best possible assistance. The amount of support per affected person can therefore vary. The heating costs allowance in most federal states is currently a few hundred euros.
● These funds are additional and can significantly increase the amounts for those affected. The aim is to expand the circle of recipients, so that people with low incomes, but especially families to middle class companies, are supported.
● The subsidy for housing and heating from the federal government alone would allow about 330 euros for the lowest income of one third of the Austrian population.
Additional support for companies is being negotiated
According to the government, it is important that there are no restrictions on burning gas. Other energy sources have also become more expensive. And while in Germany half of households use gas for heating, in Austria this is less than a quarter of households. In Carinthia, for example, there is only three percent gas heating. In addition, the companies also receive extra support. The details of this are currently being negotiated.
Nehammer: “We’re not letting anyone down”
Chancellor Karl Nehammer says of the measures now announced: “Our focus is clearly on people’s concerns and how we can counter them. We are not letting anyone down: every Austrian is supported in the crisis by this federal government. With the housing and heating subsidy decided today, we are expanding the energy protection shield even further. One thing is certain, in times of the greatest crisis, fast, direct and accurate help is needed for the people in our country who are particularly affected.”
“Housing and heating are becoming increasingly expensive due to the ongoing war and inflation. In order not to make it unbearable for those less fortunate, the federal government will make 450 million euros available in 2023 for the heating costs subsidy to the federal states. In addition, the federal government supports the housing umbrella organization with another 50 million to prevent evictions. The additional funds can also expand the circle of recipients of the heating cost subsidy – as inflation also affects more and more people,” explains Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler.
Minister Rauch of Social Affairs sees the measures as ensuring “that everyone in Austria can keep their house warm. In our country, no one has to freeze because they can no longer pay rent, electricity or heating. With these measures we support low-income families, who are particularly affected by rising house and energy prices.” Finance Minister Brunner thinks along the same lines:
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.
