Caritas: Threatened rent increases are “bad news” for the poor

Caritas board member Andreas Lustenberger denounces the upcoming rent increases because of the increase in the reference interest rate. “In the current situation, where the cost of living is already rising, that’s bad news for the poor.”

As an example, Lustenberger mentioned a family of four with two small children and a previous rent of 1,800 francs. Due to the higher reference interest rate, inflation and higher additional costs, this must go much deeper into the pockets. “In general, this results in an additional cost of 136 francs per month for living alone,” he said in an interview with Tamedia titles published Friday.

Add to this the increase in food prices and the sharp increase in health care premiums. Another significant premium increase is on the horizon for next year. “You can speak of a multiple crisis for people on low incomes,” says Lustenberger. The corona pandemic had already shown that about a fifth of all people did not have 2,500 francs in their pocket. “Now we are a few crises further, and it really can’t handle anything anymore.” In the first three months of this year, the Caritas markets recorded 40 percent more turnover than in the same period last year.

Lustenberger advised those affected to use free budget advice, which is available in most cantons. Every rent increase must also be checked to see whether it is justified. But he also made politicians responsible: “In the medium term, they have to provide more affordable housing, which is not easy. In the short term, we at Caritas are proposing additional benefits to people in precarious situations.” (oo/sda)