• 112 modern and affordable apartments for trainees and students are being built on Burtscheider Brücke in Aachen.
• The fully equipped apartments can be rented for 375 euros per month, including operating, heating and electricity costs.
• The apartments will be available from April 1, 2026, and applications for the coveted apartments can be submitted until February 27, 2026.

Affordable housing for trainees is one of the key issues for the future in Aachen. Rising rents, a tight housing market and comparatively low training allowances make it considerably more difficult for many young people to start their careers. With the new construction project on Burtscheider Brücke, 112 modern and affordable apartments are now being built in Aachen that are specifically tailored to the needs of trainees and students.

Supporting trainees and strengthening the regional economy
A broad alliance of Aachen institutions - including the German Trade Union Confederation, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Chamber of Crafts, the Workers' Welfare Association and the City of Aachen - has set itself the task of actively supporting trainees in Aachen and is delighted that the completion of the new building marks an important first step.

Thomas Hissel, Aachen's Councillor for Economic, Social and Housing Affairs, emphasizes that the tight housing market has a particular impact on young people in training. At the same time, many companies in the city are suffering from the ongoing shortage of skilled workers. "The initiative has succeeded in bringing both fields of action together and not only actively supporting trainees, but also strengthening the regional economy."

Fully equipped apartments for a flat rate of 375 euros
The apartments, which measure around 23 square meters, are fully equipped and each have their own pantry kitchen with fridge, ceramic hob and microwave. The residential complex also has an elevator, bicycle parking spaces, a common room and a launderette. The monthly rent is a flat rate of 375 euros including operating, heating and electricity costs, which means that the housing costs for trainees remain clearly calculable. The owner and landlord of the apartments is gewoge AG. "We are delighted that our new inner-city building has laid the foundation for the valuable promotion of young talent," emphasizes Thomas Hübner, CEO of gewoge AG.

Richard Graf from the Aachen Chamber of Crafts is also pleased that the joint efforts are now bearing fruit: "What has been standard for students for decades is now also becoming a reality for trainees in Aachen: affordable accommodation in a modern hall of residence in a prime location. This is an important step towards the equivalence of academic and vocational education."

For Kerstin Fassbender from the Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce, one thing is clear: "This house is more than just living space. It is a building block to stabilize training biographies, avoid dropouts and keep Aachen attractive as a training location."

Application phase underway. Apartments available from April
If you want to apply, you have to be quick, emphasizes Benjamin Hoven, Youth Education Officer at the German Trade Union Confederation. The apartments will be available from April 1, 2026, and applications for the coveted apartments can be submitted until February 27, 2026. Interested trainees can obtain information and apply via the German Trade Union Confederation and the participating chambers as well as directly via the website https://azubiwerk-aachen.de/, which has been commissioned by the city. A valid training certificate and SCHUFA information are required for the rental. The maximum rental period is 36 months.

An uncomplicated application process with various criteria
Dennis Mathy, who is training as an office administrator at RWTH, has already taken this step and hopes to be able to move into one of the apartments from April. "I'm already in my second year of training, but I've been looking for an apartment in Aachen since the start of my training - unfortunately without success. That's why I'm really pleased about the initiative. The application process was really quick and easy."

Various criteria can also play a role in the selection of applicants. These include, for example, information in the CV such as origin, previous voluntary work or commitment to the training company. Special life circumstances or social hardships can also be taken into account if they are relevant to the application.

However, the housing offer will not stop there. Sven Werny, Managing Director of Arbeiterwohlfahrt Kreis Aachen, wants to continue to support the trainees even after they have moved in. "Our work begins once the trainees have moved in. In addition to socio-educational support, trainees should also receive uncomplicated assistance with problems at the training company or with filling out housing benefit applications, for example."