Two-thirds of the Viennese population supports a levy on long-term vacant apartments. The tax is intended to bring more vacant properties onto the market and lower rents. A representative study shows surprising results.
An investigation by “Brand Support” on behalf of the Viennese Greens shows: Two in three Viennese would support a levy on vacant apartments. Nine percent are strict, 12 percent are against it (the rest: don’t know). 800 people between the ages of 16 and 75 were surveyed using an online questionnaire.
Some interesting details emerge. Among SPÖ voters, the approval (rather + a lot of support) is even slightly higher than among the supporters of the Greens. The idea performed worst among ÖVP sympathizers. But here too, the supporters are still in the majority (54%). With the NEOS this is 65%, with the FPÖ 62%.
The age rating is remarkable. Contrary to what one might expect, it is the 50- to 75-year-olds (74 percent) who flirt the most with the tax. The 16 to 29 year olds are the most skeptical. And men are more in favor of it than women. Although the difference is not too great.
When it comes to the results, it’s important to note that the customers are the Greens. In other words, a party that campaigns against the hoarding of housing for purely speculative purposes – and has a clear political aim in this area: “It is time for the city council of Vienna to finally take action. Styria, Tyrol and Salzburg show that state-level vacancy is possible. The city council must stop looking for excuses and introduce a Viennese levy,” demands green housing spokesman Georg Prack.
As long as there is no legal support from the federal government, the town hall will reject the claim. The basis should first be an exact overview of the unused objects. But there are no concrete plans for that either, explains a spokeswoman for housing councilor Kathrin Gáal (SPÖ).
Source: Krone
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