- Building new shelters for the Azubis in sight
Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Housing, Nicole Razavi, expects additional dormitory spaces for young people in the coming years. The CDU politician told the German Press Agency in Stuttgart that they are in concrete talks with 20 interested parties about the construction of additional accommodations. "Behind this are 800 dormitory places." The federal government provides the state with 32.5 million euros annually through the "Young Living" funding program.
The money is intended for the construction of dormitory places and the modernization of existing facilities. "I expect that the first construction projects can start in 2025 and that the first apartments or rooms can be occupied by trainees a year later."
There were 74 expressions of interest for the first funding call, as the CDU politician reported. Among them were many municipal housing construction companies. "In total, this could create an additional 3,300 dormitory places if all interested parties implement their projects." The young people who are currently in training or will start in the next few years are the skilled workers of tomorrow. "It is particularly difficult for young people to find affordable housing in urban areas."
The number of dormitory places in the southwest is not known.
Training house in Heidelberg as a model
Currently, there are mainly dormitory places at the locations of state vocational schools in the country, where trainees can find affordable accommodations for the duration of their visit to the vocational school. However, places that offer accommodation for the entire duration of the training are rather rare. According to a survey by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce on vocational training and further education, one in five companies sees the housing situation as a barrier to attracting trainees. In cities like Freiburg, this is even 43 percent.
DGB state deputy Maren Diebel-Ebers said: "You have to search for training homes in Baden-Württemberg with a magnifying glass." A positive exception is the training house in Heidelberg. There, employers rent rooms for their trainees. The trainees pay a moderate rent. The training house has model character. "We need more of these quickly. The demand for affordable housing for trainees is high. We hear this from both trainees and employers." They expect the state government to finally launch a funding guideline for the federal program. Other federal states have already done so.
The CDU, with Nicole Razavi as their Minister of Housing in Baden-Württemberg, is engaged in discussions with 20 potential builders for additional dormitory spaces, which could provide 800 rooms for young people. The CDU, through their political actions, hopes to create more training opportunities for the future workforce, recognizing the challenges young people face in finding affordable housing in urban areas.
