“Wohnschirm” will also cover energy costs in the future

“We are expanding the living screen to include an energy backup. Nobody in Austria should, must and may not freeze,” said Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) on Monday. To this end, the project was increased to 134 million euros by 2026 at the end of last year. According to a survey by Statistics Austria, around 500,000 people are unable to keep their homes adequately warm, said Rauch at a press conference. Just as many have arrears with rent, operating costs or loan installments.

If the existing support payments from the federal states are not sufficient, the living umbrella now also takes over arrears in energy costs. In addition, if required, there is financial support to cover increased advance payments. This is graded according to household size. A one-person household receives a maximum of 660 euros, a two-person household up to 1,060 euros and a three-person household a maximum of 1,460 euros. According to the ministry, people from the lower income third of the population are entitled to claim.

More than a hundred counseling centers in Austria

“In fact, nobody in Austria will have their electricity or heating turned off, that’s the goal,” said the minister, who expects a “decent increase in the number of people affected and the rush”. In order to receive support, those affected can turn to one of more than a hundred counseling centers run by Volkshilfe, Caritas, Diakonie and the Red Cross throughout Austria.

“The last few months have been characterized by an increase in consultations on eviction lawsuits, terminations and eviction dates,” reported Erich Fenninger, Managing Director of Volkshilfe. In Vienna alone there was an increase of almost 50 percent in initial consultations compared to the previous year. Single parents are particularly affected.

“Dramatic situation”

Caritas General Secretary Anna Parr also spoke of a “dramatic situation”. “The number of consultations has also increased significantly for us.” The inquiries had increased precisely in relation to energy costs. In addition, more and more people are affected. “Energy poverty is encroaching on the middle class,” noted Parr.

Michael Opriesnig, Secretary General of the Red Cross, has also observed not only an increase in consultations over the past month, but also a change in the groups that use them. The one-time payments would have worked very well temporarily, many people could have been saved from being evicted. “Our goal is a society based on solidarity that does not forget the weakest,” he said. He also called on the energy suppliers to set up ombudsman offices, such as those already in place at Wien Energie.

The living umbrella helps as the “last parachute”, Maria Katharina Moser, Director of the Diakonie, also welcomed the measure. She emphasized, however, that what is needed above all is an increase in housing assistance – “it’s up to the federal states” – and a reform of social assistance.

Since March 2022, the living umbrella has been used to support people who are threatened with evictions. According to the ministry, more than 2,300 apartments have been secured since then, saving over 5,200 people from homelessness. The federal government increased the funds for this last year from the originally planned 24 million euros to 134 million euros by 2026.