Huge rent increase for hundreds of thousands from April: opposition, poverty conference and Caritas demand quick action from the government. They still can’t come to an agreement.
Time does not wait, not even for state leaders. As of April 1, the target rents will be increased by 8.6 percent. This affects about 400,000 households. If you add up the rental category (5 percent plus due in July), up to two million people are affected. SPÖ and FPÖ increase the pressure.
The Reds even provided the Chancellery with a “less blah blah, run down” projection. But the chancellor and the green coalition partner still cannot agree on a rent brake. The Greens say yes, while the Turquoises want a tax exemption of 500,000 euros for their first home. Fronts hardened, nothing new over the weekend.
More and more people are hungry to pay the rent
It’s from Caritas. “In the previous year, rents were increased several times, for many the increase in April would be one too many,” says managing director Klaus Schwertner. The number of evictions had already increased by about 20 percent in 2022. Thousands of concerned people come through the doors of Caritas. Schwertner welcomes the help of the federal and state governments, “but if you want to prevent an increase in poverty and homelessness, you will now have to ensure effective long-term emergency assistance.”
The Poverty Conference is also concerned. “More and more people are hungry for housing,” says Martin Schenk. He also calls for rent control and 25,000 affordable apartments to combat homelessness. It’s getting tight for the government. A face-saving solution could be a proposal from Wifo boss Gabriel Felbermayr: slight increases over the next three years, property tax reform as part of the financial equalization.
Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch is open. On “KroneTV” he put a green rod in the coalition window. “I will especially fight hard for the rent brake.”
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.
