Dresden housing benefit office is moving: more help needed for those in need!

Dresden housing benefit office is moving: more help needed for those in need!

In Dresden, the situation is becoming increasingly tense for many households that rely on state support. The city's housing benefit office has almost tripled in size since 2020 and now has 92 employees, whereas previously only 36 employees were responsible for processing applications. This development is viewed against the background of a dramatic increase in need among the population. There are currently 12,393 households, which corresponds to 22,339 people, receiving housing benefit. This is a notable increase compared to just 4,289 households in January 2020, as reported by Tag24.

In order to meet the increased requirements, the housing benefit office had to move. The former branch on Ferdinandplatz was closed and the new premises at Junghansstrasse 2 in Striesen were converted. The city administration hopes that the central contact point will provide better clarity and shorter routes for applicants.
The housing benefit represents a state subsidy for housing expenses. The amount of the subsidy depends on the rent or burden as well as the total income of the applicant. A legal entitlement to housing benefit is granted if certain conditions are met, as the Statistics of Saxony explains in addition.

Rising costs and housing construction

Another aspect that has a critical impact on the current situation in Dresden is the rising housing costs. Across Germany, around 49,591 social housing units were supported in 2023, but this is considered insufficient to meet demand. Experts estimate that the city of Dresden needs around 17,000 additional affordable apartments. In 2022, only 1,902 new apartments were built in Dresden, underscoring the need for a rapid increase in new construction.
Developments on the housing market are diverse. The Russian attack on Ukraine has led to increased interest rates and construction costs, making new construction even more difficult. Nevertheless, housing construction has recorded increased activity since 2023, showing a positive trend. The share of residential construction in the total construction volume fell to 57% in 2023. This is evidence of a revival in the market, as BMWSB reports.

Housing benefit distribution and outlook

In 2024, almost 43 million euros were approved for housing benefit in Germany, and to date 19.7 million euros have already been paid out. This shows how urgently support from the state is needed. A one-person household in Dresden received an average of 249 euros per month in housing benefit in 2023. In order to cope with the growing number of applications, the city administration is striving to further optimize the processes so that those in need can receive help quickly and unbureaucratically.
The housing benefit office remains a central contact point that is of great importance for many Dresden residents. The challenges in the housing market and the increase in the cost of living make increased support and adaptations to citizens' needs essential.