Ines Schwerdtner, chairwoman of the Left Party, has voiced strong concerns over the planned cuts to housing benefits (Wohngeld), accusing the government of severe failures in its housing policies. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland,” Schwerdtner stated that “the Merz government is doing nothing about rising rental prices-and now they are going to take away housing benefit from people who are vulnerable to poverty?” She warned that these cuts would inevitably increase the number of individuals who must apply for basic social security, and expressed alarm that some might even be driven into homelessness.
The issue stems from the estimate by Federal Minister for Building Verena Hubertz (SPD) that considerable savings can be realized through the cuts to the housing benefit. Based on this expectation, up to one-third of current beneficiaries could lose the aid starting in 2027.
Schwerdtner sharply criticized the administration, claiming, “The Merz government is managing red figures instead of creating policies for the majority of people.” She demanded that the government instead provide relief for the majority, implement the expropriation of large rental corporations, and introduce a wealth tax.
