Graz tackles affordable housing crisis

Some 60 additional subsidized rental apartments were inaugurated by authorities earlier last week

Local authorities in Graz have inaugurated some 60 new subsidized rental apartments that are meant to alleviate some of the problems related to the lack of affordable housing in the city. These new housing units have already welcomed some of their new inhabitants and are just a taste of that is to come for the city in the near future, as officials are eager to provide more and more affordable options to their constituents.

Fighting on the side of the vulnerable

The new apartments inaugurated earlier last week by local officials are but a first step to solving a larger issue. The lack of affordable housing has become a problem of stupefying proportions in Europe – especially in larger cities where the more vulnerable members of the population are driven away from urban centres, sometimes into homelessness.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that the Graz local government aims to tackle the problem as a whole. “Right now it is important to promote affordable housing. In Starhemberggasse we were able to successfully implement this with ÖWG Wohnbau and thus create a new home for 60 families, "said a delighted City Councilor for Housing and Vice Mayor Mario Eustacchio during the inauguration.

According to the local government of Graz, another 101 subsidized rental apartments will become available in mid-2021. In the 1st construction phase, 2-, 3- and 4-room apartments were built in solid construction and the 2nd construction phase is currently being implemented. A park with a playground will also be built in their vicinity in order to provide green and recreational space for the residents.