Housing
What are the main objectives of the Housing Strategy?
The Housing Strategy Department assumes the role of coordinator for housing matters within the department headed by Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Housing Andreas Babler, and is responsible for further strengthening the current policy of promoting affordable, high-quality housing.
The Housing Strategy Department deals with strategic issues affecting housing. In particular, this includes the domestic and international coordination of housing policy, housing research and issues relating to the Housing and Buildings Register, data collection and statistical recording. Its other responsibilities include coordination of construction-related activities and the regulatory task of building product notification.
coordination of regulatory and policy matters related to construction
As the main coordination body for housing policy, it oversees housing policy initiatives within the Austrian governing bodies, ensures a clear strategic direction and strengthens cooperation with other relevant ministries, federal states and institutions. The declared political aim is to ease the burden on tenants, restrict speculative developments in the housing market and, at the same time, improve the quality of housing.
Key projects include, for example, initiatives to strengthen social housing, to expand the range of financing instruments – including at European level – and to develop a bonus-malus system for thermal refurbishments. As housing and the property sector affect several policy areas simultaneously, a voluntary advisory body has been established to support, among other things, the development of a national housing strategy.
Where can I find out more about the Building and Housing Register?
The Housing Strategy Department is responsible for legislative matters relating to the Building and Housing Register (Building and Housing Register Act, GWR-G). The register contains georeferenced addresses of plots of land, buildings and usable units, as well as structured property data such as period of construction, number of storeys, surface area, energy performance indicators and types of use. It serves as the central database for administration, planning and evidence-based decision-making at every level of government.
What is the “Voluntary Committee on Housing Policy” and what does it do?
The “Voluntary Committee on Housing Policy” provides guidance on current issues and challenges affecting housing, construction and renovation. To this end, it draws on experts from a range of specialist fields, whose perspectives can inform the ongoing development of housing strategy. The “Voluntary Committee on Housing Policy” meets at regular intervals.