T.In view of the explosion in energy prices, the municipalities of Thuringia expect a rush to subsidies for housing. “The number of people entitled to the housing allowance will increase significantly. We expect it to triple, “said the managing director of the association of municipalities and cities, Ralf Rusch, on the sidelines of the general assembly of the Erfurt Municipal Central Association on Wednesday. any opposition proceedings put further pressure on municipal administrations and they too would have difficulty in finding sufficient staff.
According to a reform decided on Wednesday by the federal government, the amount of housing allowance and the group of eligible beneficiaries are expected to be increased. This is essentially a state rent subsidy for low income people. Even those who own a condominium or a house and at the same time have little money can obtain support for the repayment of their loans.
The aftermath of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, inflation, the energy crisis and the crown pandemic weighed on many mayors, Rusch said. “Many suffer from the worry of having built something in many years that may now be up for debate.” For example, the CEO cited lighting systems on sports fields or sports halls and clubhouses, which may soon no longer be able to function due to the necessary energy savings. “This worry does something to people.”
After weeks of discussions with the state on the reimbursement of housing costs for refugees, the managing director of the municipal association expressed his satisfaction. This applies to the solution this year with the payment of 49.5 million euros. It is not yet foreseeable whether this amount will also be needed in 2023, says Rusch.
But there are already signs of high costs, for example in kindergartens, where many Ukrainian girls and boys have been admitted. “Nurseries are reaching their limits – in terms of staff, but also in terms of available space.” In 2023 the municipalities of the district, which manage most of the nurseries, would also need money for this.
The motto of this year’s general assembly of city and community representatives was “A turning point”.
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