Unyielding Minister Hubertz Refuses to Set Build Target, Vows Housing Revolution
No plans revealed by Hubertz for constructing a dwelling
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Germany is grappling with a massive housing crisis. The abundance of social housing units has significantly dwindled, with figures showing a fourfold decrease since the late 1980s. Enter Verena Hubertz, the fresh new minister for Housing, Urban Development, and Building, aiming to resurrect the dismal state of housing construction. In an exclusive sit-down with ZDF, she candidly discusses her plans to instigate a housing revolution.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Affable Minister Tackles The Housing Crisis "I'm not here to play it safe," proclaims Hubertz, the charismatic tech entrepreneur who sold her successful startup, "Kitchen Stories", for an undisclosed sum rumored to be around 26 million euros. At 37, she's no stranger to challenge, and her time in politics and housing has left her convinced that the construction industry is ripe for disruption. "We're building too slowly, too expensively, and too little," she declares, addressing the nation's mounting housing crisis head-on.
But when quizzed about her construction goals, Hubertz adopts a more measured tone. "As an entrepreneur, you don't carve a number in stone," she explains. "The world keeps turning, and so must our approach. I won't promise a specific target, but I assure you we'll build as much as we can." Her stance stems from her understanding of the dynamic nature of regional immigration and demographic changes.
Streamlining Bureaucracy and Slashing Costs
Hubertz's plans to revolutionize the housing market are not limited to construction output. In a bold move, she aims to axe 25% of existing bureaucracy, slash housing costs, and create affordable housing alternatives. "We need to think differently and act swiftly," she says, emphasizing the urgent need for change. To achieve her ambitions, Hubertz has consolidated her ministry, trimming employment to 500, including a staggering 2500 employees in subordinate authorities.
Economic Analysis
Matthias Günther, an economist familiar with the German real estate market, lauds Hubertz's zealousness but questions the feasibility of her housing targets. Current construction costs hover around 5000 euros per square meter, a figure Günther claims could be halved by adhering to standard building practices, without compromising quality or safety.
The Road Ahead
Hubertz's ambitious plan to revamp the housing market faces numerous challenges. Her promises of reducing bureaucracy, streamlining construction, and creating affordable housing resonate with the public. However, the task at hand is colossal, plagued by complex building codes, high construction costs, and skepticism from industry experts. Nonetheless, Hubertz remains undaunted. "I feel the responsibility," she admits, "to deliver for the people and get this right."
Enrichment Data:German Housing Minister Verena Hubertz's strategies aim to tackle the housing crisis through the following fronts:
- Streamlining the approval process: By expediting the decision-making process, Hubertz aims to speed up project initiation and completion.
- Modernizing construction techniques: Hubertz advocates for the employment of cutting-edge construction methods, aimed at reducing construction times and improving efficiency.
- Expanding land availability: The government considers rezoning underutilized land and encouraging its use for residential development as a means to increase housing supply.
- Rent control measures: Extending rent control measures in major cities is one of the government's strategies to address affordability, with the aim of maintaining housing costs at bay.
- Reducing bureaucracy: Hubertz seeks to eliminate unnecessary regulations to streamline the construction process and reduce costs.
While her strategies are well-intentioned and have garnered public support, experts remain skeptical about their effectiveness, particularly in the face of complex rental laws and a housing market fraught with challenges.
In her aim to revolutionize the housing market, Minister Hubertz intends to reduce bureaucracy by 25%, streamline construction processes, and create affordable housing, as outlined in her community policy. Furthermore, to finance this project, she plans to slash housing costs and explore economic alternatives within the realm of business and finance.
