Housing
Berlin’s Massive Housing Push Sparks a Debate About the City’s Future
The German capital has vowed to build 200,000 new homes, with half reserved for affordable rents. But where can they go?
Right now, Berlin is in the midst of a predicament that many cities will recognize: It desperately needs new homes in order to manage demand and maintain some level of affordability. Unlike many other cities, however, Berlin is trying very hard to get them.
Last week, the city’s government pledged to construct just under 200,000 new homes between now and 2030, with 50 percent of that reserved for affordable rents. It’s a necessary and impressive push, but it’s quickly running up against a fundamental question: Where does it all go?