Berlin's Left Party Proposes Radical Housing Overhaul with Mass Expropriations
Berlin's Left Party has unveiled a bold 24-point plan to tackle the city's housing crisis. The proposals aim to make living in the capital more affordable, with a strong focus on rent controls and public ownership. The party is also pushing for faster construction of social housing as part of its election campaign.
The centrepiece of the plan is the expropriation of large housing corporations like Deutsche Wohnen. Following a successful 2021 referendum, the party now wants to bring around 200,000 flats under public control. This move builds on the September 2021 vote, where Berliners backed the campaign to reclaim private rental stock.
A new Secure Housing Act will introduce stricter tenant protections. The party also plans to create a state office dedicated to fighting illegal rent hikes. For state-owned housing firms, a rent cap will limit how much landlords can charge. To ease the housing shortage, the Left Party has pledged to speed up construction. State-backed companies would build 7,500 social housing units each year. The party's draft programme puts housing first, but it also includes promises on public transport to win over voters. The proposals mark a sharp shift in rhetoric, with the Left Party framing the election as a chance to reshape Berlin's housing market. Officials argue that public ownership and tighter regulations will stabilise rents in the long term.
If implemented, the plan would transfer thousands of private flats to public hands. The rent cap and new tenant protections would apply immediately to state-owned properties. The party's success at the ballot box will determine whether these sweeping changes become reality.
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