German housing experts are urging the federal government to establish a permanent and reliable federal-state cooperation agreement regarding housing. The GdW Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen reported that there currently is a shortage of 2.2 to 2.5 million largely barrier-free units specifically for older households with mobility limitations.
Axel Gedaschko, the President of GdW, told “Focus” that previous programs were inadequate, describing them as too small, too uncertain, and not sufficiently tailored to address the breadth of the rental housing stock. Gedaschko emphasized that ensuring age-appropriate living is not merely a matter of comfort but a vital issue of social, care, and housing policy, adding that a barrier-free bathroom is of little use if it is no longer affordable for tenants.
Government parties have pointed to existing measures. Jan-Marco Luczak, the housing policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU faction, informed “Focus” that the Union successfully negotiated during budget discussions to restore federal funding for the “Age-Appropriate Conversion” KfW subsidy program, which had been canceled by the governing coalition (Ampel). He stated, “As the Union, we particularly want to relieve self-owning property owners of burdens and requirements regarding permits.” Around 50 million euros are currently allocated for 2026.
Hendrik Bollmann, the housing policy spokesperson for the SPD faction, acknowledged the need for further action, stating that the target should be raised to 75 million euros. Furthermore, he pointed out that the existing obligation for dismantling alterations poses a major obstacle, potentially requiring tenants to reverse barrier-free renovations at their own expense upon moving out.
However, the opposition believes this is not enough. Hanna Steinmüller, the housing policy spokeswoman for the Grüne parliamentary group, criticized the current situation to “Focus,” saying, “This back-and-forth creates uncertainty and ensures that age-appropriate housing continues to be scarce.” She calls for a permanent guarantee for the KfW program, demanding a minimum of 150 million euros annually.
A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development, and Building replied to “Focus’s” inquiry that the program supports the removal of barriers within the housing stock. According to the Ministry, approximately 60 percent of all subsidized new rental properties were already designed to be barrier-free in 2025.
