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Introduction to Social Housing and Housing Benefits in Austria

Updated: Jan 29, 2024

Authors: Graham Crewe and Keith Davies


In these challenging economic times, many people are struggling to make ends meet. This article will explain some of the background to Social Housing and housing benefits in Austria. It will help you to find out whether you might be entitled to benefits and how to apply for them. It also provides information for people in emergency situations, such as those who are threatened with being homeless or those who are subject to domestic violence (scroll to the bottom).


Introduction

Social housing and housing benefits primarily fall in to two main categories:

Type

English Description

Comments

Sozialer Wohnbau

Social Housing

This takes the form of reduced rent. The schemes can be run by the province, local authority, not for profit organisation/co-operative and/or a combination of all of them.

Wohnbauförderung Eigenheim

Housing subsidies for home ownership

This takes the form of a low-cost loan which helps young families and others get on the housing ladder. Since they involve property ownership, the housing subsidies can be restrictive in terms of availability. In some cases are only open to Austrian and EEA nationals.

Note: Some rental schemes also involve the right to buy after a certain period of ownership (Mietkauf).


This article will focus on the Social Housing since this is most relevant to immigrants in Austria.


Vienna Social Housing Overview

The City of Vienna provides a good overview of social housing in English here. The table below provides an overview of the different options:


Type

English Description

Comments

Gemeindebau

Municipal Housing

Built and managed by the City of Vienna

Geförderte Wohnungen

Subsidised Housing

Built and manged by non-profit or/and limited profit housing developers


Renovierte Gebäude

Renovated Buildings

Flats in buildings renovated in the context of “gentle urban renewal”


Not-for-Profit Organisations

As stated previously a lot of the housing schemes are run by not-for-profit organisations. These should be members of the Österreichischer Verband gemeinnütziger Bauvereinigungen - GBV (Austrian Association of non-profit building Associations). Their website has a map tool with which you can search for housing associations by name and/or province.


Their current news page also provides a list of some of their recent projects by province.


Who might qualify for Social Housing?

Rules are set by each province and can actually go down to a Gemeinde level as well. The following provides an overview of the requirements as far as we understand them:

  • You must pay the rent yourself

  • You must be an Austrian citizen, a citizen of an EEA country or have an Austrian residence permit.

  • The accommodation must be your main residence

  • You must be paid above a minimum income, but below a maximum level.

  • You can't apply for housing allowance if the landlord is a relative or you pay no rent

Whether or not you might qualify for housing benefits may also depend on factors such as:

  • How long you have lived in the Province/Gemeinde (minimum years typically apply)

  • Which province you are in (the support available varies significantly from province to province)

  • The total income of the entire houshold

  • Whether or not you have children

  • The size of the living space

  • The cost of the accommodation

How do I find out about housing subsidies and where do I apply?

You can find out where to apply for housing subsidies using the provincial links below. Alternatively you can use this oesterreich.gv.at tool to contact your local Gemeinde. Be prepared to take along a German speaking friend if you are not fluent in German. Simply enter your PLZ/postcode/zip code.


In addition search the websites of the not for profit building associations (see above).


Advice and support in the event of (threatened) housing loss

If you are at risk of losing your home, start here: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/soziales/armut/2/Seite.1694300.html


Other kinds of benefits

Using some of the links below and talking to the relevant people you might also find some other subsidies, such as:

  • Subsidies for replacing old oil and gas boilers.

  • Making your homes safer

  • Special schemes for young people

  • Schemes for barrier free living

  • Installation of solar panels

Links to information by province

Note that these links are mainly in German but your browser will translate them for you. In addition, don't forget about the provincial Welcome Service who may also be able to assist you.

Burgenland

Carinthia (Kärnten)

Lower Austria (Niederösterreich)

Styria (Steiermark)

Upper Austria (Oberösterreich)

Vorarlberg

Other information and sources


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