Back to search

Social Housing Promotion – Acquisition of Occupancy Rights
Closed

Grant
Last updated: 16.6.2025

The State of Hesse supports natural and legal persons in acquiring occupancy rights for existing housing units, aiming to secure affordable housing for low-income households. The program targets specific funding areas in Hesse and is granted as a subsidy to ensure long-term social housing provision.

Who is funded?

This funding program is aimed at natural and legal persons who are owners or leaseholders of rental apartments. The goal is to enable a permanent housing supply for households that cannot find suitable housing on the market. The funding is limited to specific areas in Hesse, particularly in regions with increased housing demand.

What is funded?

The program supports the acquisition of occupancy rights for existing housing units to create affordable housing for low-income households. A distinction is made between acquiring rights for unencumbered and expiring commitments. The apartments must meet certain standards and be suitable for permanent provision.

Type and Extent of Funding

Funding is provided in the form of a grant as fixed-amount financing. The amount of the grant is calculated based on the living area and the commitment period, with an additional fee granted for providing housing to housing-seeking persons. The commitment period for rent control and occupancy rights is generally ten years.

Conditions and Requirements

Specific legal and operational conditions apply to the application and funding. This includes minimum requirements for the number of apartments, their equipment and size, as well as compliance with rent control and occupancy commitments. It is explicitly clarified that the funding does not constitute state aid within the meaning of EU state aid law.

Application Procedure

The application procedure is structured in two stages and begins with the local housing promotion agencies. The applications are then forwarded to the Hessian Ministry and then to the approving body, WIBank. Approval is granted through a written funding commitment.

The funding program is based on a specific guideline of the State of Hesse, which is supplemented by various state laws and ordinances as well as general administrative legal provisions. These legal bases ensure the legitimacy and framework for the implementation of social housing promotion.

#Social Housing Promotion#Occupancy Rights Hesse#Affordable Housing#Rental Housing Construction#Housing Promotion#Hesse Grant#Social Housing#Housing Provision#Apartment Owners#Leaseholders#Hesse Funding Areas#Altmark Criteria#Housing Promotion Guideline#Hesse Living#FrankfurtRheinMain Housing

Funding Overview

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

2.50 EUR per sq m of living area per month multiplied by the commitment period, plus an additional 0.50 EUR per sq m of living area per month multiplied by the commitment period

Open Until

Open Until:

31.12.2024

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Demand Driven Scheme

Region

Region:

Hesse (FrankfurtRheinMain Regional Association, areas with increased housing demand according to § 1 (1) of the Social Housing Allocation Ordinance, independent cities and special status cities of Hesse)

Sectors

Sectors:

Other

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Households that cannot adequately provide themselves with housing on the market and are dependent on support.

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Other

Funding Provider

Program Level: Regional

Funding Body: Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Development

Managed By: Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank)

Additional Partners: competent housing promotion agency Hesse (Magistrate/District Committee), municipalities

Website: zuständige Wohnungsbauförderstelle Hessen