Berlin's Housing Crunch: Severe Shortage, Soaring Rents and Stalled Construction Deepen City's Woes
-
Berlin has a severe housing shortage, with less than 1% vacancy rate, leading to long lines at viewings and rapidly rising rents.
-
High construction costs, red tape, and local opposition have stalled building efforts, unable to keep pace with demand.
-
Two-tier rental market means long-term tenants pay low rents, while new arrivals pay 2-3 times more for same units.
-
2014 referendum rejected plans to build 4,700 new flats at old Tempelhof airport site, now a public park.
-
Rent cap introduced in 2020 lowered rents but supply fell sharply, intensifying competition for available units.