Affordable housing as a major concern

The SPÖ commissioned a survey on the topic of “Concerns and needs of the Upper Austrian population”. More than 150 people were also surveyed in the Innviertel. The result reflects the overall result almost one-to-one. Almost one in three of the Innviertel residents surveyed said that housing and the rising cost of living were the most important political issue. Around 47 percent, or almost half, said that housing costs were a burden for them. The costs of electricity and heating were a burden for 51 percent. “The result does not surprise me. When I look in Ried: A lot has been built, but mostly condominiums,” said Ried’s SPÖ deputy mayor Peter Stummer at a press conference with the SPÖ parliamentary group leader Sabine Engleitner-Neu. 88 percent of those surveyed were in favor of a housing offensive for affordable housing. “It is a basic need and should make life easier,” said Stummer.

Engleitner-Neu spoke of a “misguided federal housing policy” and advocated an increase in housing assistance. After all, this is “not an act of mercy”. In general, she proposed an increase in the state’s housing budget by 100 million euros per year. “We need more affordable housing and cheaper loans. This is the only way to make housing more affordable again,” said Stummer, who also addressed the vacancies in Ried’s city center. “The vacancy rate is around 20 percent in the center, including many apartments. A lot is being built, but many of the apartments are being bought as speculative objects. In general, we in Ried’s city politics should develop a plan for affordable housing, create concepts and then actually implement them.” (tst)