• Despite new records in housing subsidies, there is hardly any relief in sight on Aachen's housing market. Low-income households, families, the elderly and people with disabilities are the main victims.
• Space for new buildings is scarce, which is why investment in the existing stock is needed. The city's two-pillar model with the establishment of a municipal housing association and the simultaneous strengthening of gewoge is intended to provide a remedy.
• The findings of the housing market report are suitable as a reliable basis for planning due to the broad database and serve the city as a basis for the development of integrated strategies and the targeted orientation of housing policy instruments.

The structural tension on Aachen's housing market continues. Low and middle-income households, single parents, older people and families in particular are increasingly searching in vain for affordable housing. In the past two years, more applications for publicly subsidized housing have been approved than ever before. Nevertheless, these successes are not enough to meet demand. At the same time, high construction costs, rising interest rates and persistently strong demand are intensifying competition for affordable housing.

Taking responsibility in the face of many challenges

The market is under severe pressure, particularly in the lower and middle price segments. Investment in existing properties, targeted promotion and the creation of socially oriented structures remain key housing policy tasks. "The situation is serious, but not hopeless. The housing market in Aachen is highly competitive. Supply is not growing in line with demand," said Thomas Hissel, municipal councillor for housing, social affairs and the economy, at a press conference to present the new housing market report. "It is mainly low-income households that are suffering. We must take responsibility here as a municipality to strengthen publicly subsidized housing construction."

Urban two-pillar model

A central building block on this path is the politically agreed strengthening package with the implementation of a municipal two-pillar model: in addition to strengthening Gewoge in conjunction with the other shareholders, it was decided to establish a municipal housing association. "With this model, we will refurbish, densify and also expand the portfolio," says Hissel. In this way, the city of Aachen and gewoge are not only making an important contribution to providing the Aachen population with affordable housing, but also to securing the existing housing stock.

Successes in housing promotion

Despite all the measures taken, the supply of social housing remains a key challenge. It is therefore pleasing that more applications for funding were approved last year than ever before. "578 new subsidized housing units were approved in 2024. 67.5 million euros flowed into publicly subsidized housing construction. This currently accounts for 60 percent of all new builds," said Mayor Norbert Plum, Chairman of the Housing and Property Committee. "This is only possible thanks to the close cooperation between politicians, the city of Aachen, the StädteRegion Aachen as the approval authority, the ministry and the housing market players. The cooperation is truly exemplary." The Aachen quota resolution - 40 percent subsidized housing construction in new development plans - plays its part in this, emphasized Plum. "The quota resolution is effective and ensures sustainable subsidized shares in new construction. We just have to remain consistent and not deviate."

Supply and demand in imbalance

Despite this positive momentum, the overall situation continues to be characterized by a clear imbalance between supply and demand. The demand for housing in Aachen is being met by a stagnating to declining supply, which is increasingly shifting towards higher-priced segments. Rolf Frankenberger, Head of the Department of Housing, Social Affairs and Integration, gave an insight into the situation: "We are doing a lot of steering and are of course looking closely at the target groups of the publicly subsidized housing market - also in coordination with the developers. The current focus is on families with children as well as older people and those in need of care.

Young families rarely or only with great difficulty find affordable housing in Aachen. A situation that leads to emigration. "Families in particular are increasingly moving to the surrounding area. We need to create family-friendly, large apartments in central locations," says Frankenberger. The "Urban living with children" project aims to develop guidelines for this - number of rooms, connections, proximity to daycare centers and schools. The rapid increase in rents for non-subsidized housing is also obvious.

Age-appropriate and barrier-free living

Another key aspect of the current housing market report is age-appropriate and barrier-free housing. "Demographic change is having a massive impact on this topic. We need to focus on the target group of older people and people with disabilities and make homes barrier-free. 87 percent of people with care needs live in their own four walls," says Frankenberger. The connection between housing and care, the importance of age-appropriate housing and the corresponding further development of neighborhoods is currently being developed in a demographic concept.

New construction project on the Burtscheider Bridge

The press conference on the new housing market report took place in a new gewoge AG building project on Burtscheider Brücke. Ulrich Warmer, CEO of gewoge, gave an outlook: "Burtscheider Brücke will be filled with life by mid-2026." With an investment volume of around 40 million euros, the housing company will complete 197 apartments and residential units there, most of which will be publicly subsidized. "Contrary to the market, gewoge is still building," said Warner. "The funding conditions allow us to do this." In 2025, 114 apartments will be completed after core refurbishment, a further 339 apartments are currently under construction and a further 169 residential units are under development.

Planning basis for various housing market players

The Housing Market Report of the Department of Housing, Social Affairs and Integration of the City of Aachen regularly analyzes trends and long-term developments on the Aachen housing market on a broad data basis. Its findings are suitable as a reliable basis for planning and serve the city as a basis for the development of integrated strategies and the targeted orientation of housing policy instruments. The basis for this is the housing action plan, which is currently in the implementation phase.

Housing market report 2025

A printed copy of the Housing Market Report 2025 can be requested from the Department of Housing, Social Affairs and Integration of the City of Aachen by calling 0241/432-56306 or sending an e-mail to komwob@mail.aachen.de.

The housing market report can be found on the Internet at www.aachen.de/wohnungsmarktbericht.