After the turquoise-green coalition could not agree on the rent brake, the housing costs subsidy was increased as a compromise. Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) and ÖVP club president August Wöginger presented details on Wednesday. One thing is certain, the grant will not be handed out just like that, you have to submit an application.
After an “intensive debate”, a compromise has now been found to deal with rising rents, Minister Rauch said in the press foyer after the Council of Ministers. The compromise looks like this: the existing subsidies for housing and heating costs are increased by 225 million euros, and the federal government makes the money available to the federal states. In addition, there is another 25 million euros for the residential umbrella, which is intended to prevent evictions.
“Watering can not a panacea”
But because “the watering can is not the panacea,” as Rauch stressed, the new housing benefit will not be paid automatically, but low-income households will have to apply. “This is not alms, there is a legal right to it,” said the Minister of Green, who appealed for support.
Submitting the application “relatively unbureaucratic”
ÖVP clubman August Wöginger did the same, who said filing the application was “relatively unbureaucratic”. All low-income people would benefit, whether it is a reference rental or a free rental. They knew they could apply. “That’s more socially fair from our point of view,” explains Wöginger, adding that the grant is for people “who really need it.”
Average 200 euros
The additional housing costs subsidy should be distributed among the states according to the population key, the ÖVP politician explained. Approximately EUR 10 million is available for Vorarlberg and EUR 38 million for Upper Austria. On average there is a support contribution of 200 euros.
Source: Krone
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