Annual press conference of the Cologne Tenants' Association

The decline in publicly subsidised housing, more efficient construction projects, fair property tax regulations - all this and more was the topic of the press conference held by the Cologne Tenants' Association on 16 January 2025.

Every year in January, the Cologne Tenants' Association organises a press conference at its headquarters at Mühlenbach 49. It reviews the past year, provides an outlook for the new one and presents its demands and points of criticism in order to improve the situation on the tight housing market. Numerous press representatives from major local daily newspapers attended, as well as local radio stations and a television crew from WDR. Managing Director Hans Jörg Depel once again moderated the press conference this year. Managing Director Sarah Primus presented the latest figures, outlined the development of membership and named the counselling topics that were particularly frequently the subject of the association's legal counselling activities in 2024. She also reported that the proportion of new member households receiving social assistance has risen from 15 to 20 per cent over the past ten years.

Franz-Xaver Corneth took up this topic to point out the urgent need for publicly subsidised housing in Cologne. At the beginning of the 1990s, over 20 per cent of all flats in Cologne were still publicly subsidised - today it is only 6.5 per cent, although almost half of Cologne's population would be entitled to such a flat. What's more, the number of subsidised flats will fall drastically in the coming years. As early as 2025, 4,548 flats will no longer be publicly subsidised. This figure will rise to a total of 22,500 by 2033. Cologne will therefore lose more than half of its remaining social housing. Corneth sounded the alarm:
‘Cologne is losing more and more social housing, while demand is growing inexorably. This is threatening the existence of many tenants. Housing in Cologne has long since become unaffordable for many.

Hans Jörg Depel recalled that the coalition agreement of the ‘traffic light’ government included important measures to stabilise and relieve the housing market. However, even fundamental agreements such as the extension of the rent freeze, the promotion of social housing, the acceleration of construction projects or protection against the conversion of rented flats into owner-occupied flats were not implemented. In addition, the association called for a separate designation of furnishing surcharges in rental contracts, the designation of new building areas in Cologne, the streamlining of building regulations, the lowering of building standards and more neighbourhood protection statutes in the city.

Another topic was the property tax reform. The uniform assessment rate in Cologne was reduced from 515 to 475 per cent. However, the North Rhine-Westphalian tax authorities had recommended introducing different assessment rates for commercial and residential units in order to ensure the legally stipulated revenue neutrality - a recommendation that was not implemented. As a result, many tenants also have to expect significant property tax increases.

Following the press conference, the Chairman of the Management Board and the two Managing Directors were available for individual interviews, which were broadcast on the radio and elsewhere. Both the Kölnische Rundschau and the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reported on the press conference in detailed articles.

And one thing is already certain: there will be another one next year!