Brandenburg Plans Overhaul to Simplify Construction Rules and Boost Affordable Housing

The state aims to address its housing crisis with regulatory reforms, digitalization, and increased funding for affordable housing projects.

Brandenburg's government plans to streamline construction regulations, reducing stringent requirements like those related to insulation, to make building more feasible.
All local building authorities in Brandenburg are expected to adopt digital application processes by the end of the year to cut bureaucracy and speed up approvals.
In 2024, the state funded the creation of 1,269 housing units with €212 million, a significant increase from the 900 units funded in 2023 with €176 million.
The Berlin-Brandenburg housing association has called for doubling the annual housing subsidies to €400 million to meet growing demand and ensure affordability.
Critics warn that funding private developers could lead to short-term gains but long-term challenges, advocating for prioritizing public and cooperative housing projects instead.