The Bavarian housing industry sees an urgent need for action to revitalise housing construction. During the three-day specialist congress "WohWi im Dialog" organised by the Association of Bavarian Housing Companies (VdW Bayern) in Reit im Winkl, key impulses for the sector were discussed. The focus was on the presentation of new housing funding by Construction Minister Christian Bernreiter and the priorities for allocating the record funds provided by the Free State.
Association director Hans Maier emphasised the necessity of making housing construction more attractive again to meet the acute demand for housing. He cited reducing construction costs and creating suitable political framework conditions as crucial factors. According to VdW Bayern, the Free State of Bavaria has already taken important steps in this regard.
Simple Construction and Legal Framework Conditions
Bavaria has reduced technical requirements in housing funding and simplified building regulations. Through 19 pilot projects for building type-e, practical experience in the field of simple construction was gained, with individual projects achieving a reduction in construction costs of over 15 percent. However, a widespread application of these simplified building standards is hampered by a lack of legal certainty at the federal level. Mr Maier stressed that the federal government is responsible for creating a legally secure framework and for foregoing superfluous standards, regardless of the specific designation of the construction method.
In parallel, housing funding remains an elementary component for the socially oriented housing industry. The Free State is providing record funds for the years 2026 and 2027 and will restructure the funding system from 2027. VdW Bayern welcomes these investments but calls for long-term planning certainty for companies. The housing industry requires continuous funding and adequate conditions, as land purchases and project planning extend over years, and reliability of the fundamental framework conditions is essential.
Funding Continuity and Market Mechanisms
Mr Maier underlined that a combination of funding and improved market conditions represents the only effective path. Tax incentives should mobilise private capital, lower standards should reduce construction costs, and reliable funding programmes should enable the long-term construction of affordable housing. He noted that the state cannot replace the housing market but has a duty to create the necessary conditions for housing construction.
The "WohWi im Dialog" congress, which has taken place in Reit im Winkl for 60 years, gathered over 500 representatives from the housing industry, politics, and administration. The event was dedicated to the central question of how housing construction can be revitalised and provided a platform for exchanging views on current challenges facing the sector.
