FPÖ Identifies Serious Deficiencies in Municipal Housing

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has raised concerns regarding significant structural deficiencies in Vienna's municipal buildings, following a recent survey. The party's leadership claims that these issues highlight a lack of action by SPÖ Mayor Michael Ludwig during his tenure as the city's housing commissioner. According to FPÖ officials, this negligence has resulted in a maintenance backlog estimated at EUR10 billion.

During a recent press conference, FPÖ state party chairman Dominik Nepp elaborated on the findings, indicating that numerous buildings are at risk of collapse. He pointed out that unresolved water damage has led to mold growth, while broken windows have rendered living conditions in some properties untenable. Nepp cited specific locations, including buildings on Handelskai and Baumgartenstraße, as prime examples of these alarming conditions.

Nepp stressed that the construction of new buildings is disproportionately focused on asylum seekers and individuals granted subsidiary protection, which he claims is misunderstood by current residents of municipal housing.

Further supporting the FPÖ's position, the Austrian Court of Audit has reported that 75% of Vienna's municipal apartments require renovation, contributing to the aforementioned maintenance backlog. Nepp criticized Mayor Ludwig for increasing rents multiple times over recent years amidst these pressing issues, calling for a comprehensive expansion of municipal housing and a restructuring to align more closely with housing cooperatives. He argued that such a change could decrease rental costs in municipal buildings by up to 40%.

Additionally, Nepp proposed that housing assistance be linked to Austrian citizenship and that municipal housing be allocated solely to Austrian nationals and individuals demonstrably integrated into society. He suggested that subsidized apartments should also be reserved for citizens with proven integration.

FPÖ federal spokesperson for housing, Michael Oberlechner, pointed out that the current situation is not solely the responsibility of Wiener Wohnen, the city's municipal housing authority, but also involves the Sozialbau AG. He criticized the organization's former general director, Josef Ostermayer, for investment losses totaling around EUR70 million, funds that could have been used to build 1,500 new social housing units. Oberlechner described the social housing sector as being "completely out of control."

He also noted the involvement of a SPÖ-affiliated organization, the Association of Viennese Workers' Homes, in complex structures associated with social housing, suggesting that political favoritism is a factor in the current housing crisis. Oberlechner expressed concern over the silence of the ÖVP and NEOS regarding these issues, calling attention to what he perceives as a lack of accountability.