Subsidized rent
State subsidies for accommodation
Due to the housing shortage, the German government has frequently intervened in the housing sector to guarantee accommodation for people with limited incomes.
A Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS) is a certificate required to live in apartments that have been built using state subsidies. A Wohnberechtigungsschein is only available to people below a certain income level. To qualify, your residence permit must have been issued for one year. You can obtain further information on the WBS permit from the local housing authority ( Amt für Wohnungswesen) listed in the phone book under Stadt.
People with limited means can also apply for a housing allowance ( Wohngeld) from their local town hall.
When looking for a flat it is often helpful to visit you local Wohnungsamt (Housing Office) to get information on Wohnungsgesellschaften (state-run housing associations with flats for rent).
Another form of subsidized housing are state subsidized student residencies.
Also in this section
- Introduction: The search for accommodation in Germany
- The rental market: Is it hard to find accommodation?
- Getting started: How to prepare your housing search
- Classifieds: Big choice - big competition
- Estate agents: How to deal with paid search services
- Alternative options: Shared apartments and short-term accommodation
- Student housing: How to get cheap student accommodation
- Subsidized rent: State subsidies for accommodation
- Contracts: All you need to know before signing a rental agreement
- Moving in: Houshold management & utilities
- Glossary: German housing terms and abbreviations
