Zwischen Wohnungsnot und Leerstand – Wohnungsmarktinterventionen als Aufgabe für die Politik?

This text deals with the topic of housing shortage vs. residential vacancy – housing market intervention as a task of politics? At the beginning there will be some basic assertions on the relation of market vs. state, especially bearing in mind, the overall importance and social responsibility the housing industry has and beyond that, regarding further issues such as environmental protection and demographic transition. On this interaction, some generally accepted rules will be generated, with the aim of finding some balanced solutions. The more theoretical considerations will be enlarged upon with practical examples, on subjects such as, dealing with the issue of home ownership vs. tenancy, energy requirements, rental control and the fact of population development. This paper will terminate with remarks on the latest challenges, the housing policy has to deal with. Key words to be mentioned here are finding appropriate strategies, dealing with different regional and sectorial housing markets, the age-appropriate conversion of residential houses, residency and poverty and residency and energy. Broad alliances, made of all participants in the housing market and on all national and regional levels will be regarded as helpful.