Market Analysis for Housing Sector in 2025
In the heart of Germany, the city of Aachen is grappling with a significant housing market challenge. According to the latest housing market report from the Department for Housing, Social Affairs, and Integration, the city's housing market is under immense pressure, particularly affecting households with low income, families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The report serves as a reliable planning basis for various housing market actors, including the municipal housing company, gewoge AG, which has been active in Aachen since 1891. gewoge's focus has always been on affordable housing, modernization, densification, and social mixing in the city. In line with this mission, they are currently working on expanding and modernizing affordable housing across all districts of Aachen, including the transformation of vacant lots and improving barrier-free access.
One of gewoge's latest projects is the new construction at the Burtscheider Bridge, which will complete 197 apartments and living spaces, mostly publicly subsidized, with an investment volume of around 40 million euros. Ulrich Warmer, CEO of gewoge, announced that the Burtscheider Bridge will be filled with life by mid-2026.
The city's housing issue is not a new development. In 2025, 114 apartments will be completed after core renovation, and a further 339 apartments are currently under construction. However, high construction costs, rising interest rates, and continued strong demand are exacerbating the competition for affordable housing. Despite this, gewoge AG is continuing to build, despite the current market conditions, as funding conditions allow.
Young families in Aachen are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable housing, leading to outmigration. To address this, the city is developing guidelines, such as the "Urban Living with Children" project, to create family-friendly, large apartments in central locations.
The city's deputy mayor for housing, social affairs, and the economy, Thomas Hissel, stated that the housing market in Aachen is fiercely contested and that supply is not keeping up with demand. To combat this, the city has implemented a two-pillar model to address the housing issue, involving the establishment of a municipal housing association and the strengthening of gewoge.
Despite a record number of funding applications for publicly funded housing construction being approved in the past two years, this is not enough to meet demand. Space for new buildings is scarce, necessitating investment in existing properties. The city's website also provides an RSS feed for press releases, keeping the public informed about the latest developments.
The housing market report 2025 is the latest version of the report and serves as a foundation for developing integrated strategies and targeted housing policy instruments. It highlights the city's commitment to providing its population with affordable housing and securing the existing stock through renovation, densification, and expansion of the existing stock.
For those interested in the report, it can be requested from the department by phone or email, and it can be found on the city's website. The report is a crucial tool in understanding the current state of Aachen's housing market and the steps being taken to address the challenges it presents.
