Locals can no longer afford the rent: monks fight against expensive housing in Engelberg

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The Engelberg OW has a problem: Due to all the holiday apartments that are mostly empty, there is little living space for local residents or tourism workers. Or priceless. This has consequences. The industry can no longer find skilled workers because they can no longer find affordable housing. This has been reported by SRF.

However, holiday guests aren’t the only ones enthusiastic about the Engelberg mountains. It is also attractive for families as there are primary, secondary and high schools in the village. In the Benedictine abbey that characterizes Engelberg. Add to this the low taxes in the canton of Obwalden. According to the SRF, if you have assets of 25 million francs in Sarnen, you only pay half as much in tax as in the tax haven of Zug.

Less than 2000 francs for 4.5 rooms

The result is increased rents. Also in Engelberg. But now things are moving. He wants to build 70 affordable apartments on the grounds of the Engelberg monastery. There are also about 2,400 square meters for commercial buildings. The Benedictines take matters into their own hands. And don’t sell the land to investors who will build on it. “It’s not about trying to do as much as possible. It’s about living for the locals,” says Christian Meyer, the abbey’s abbot.

Apartments should be rented only to those living in the monastery village. Prices are reasonable: the monastery charges less than 2,000 francs a month for a 4.5-room apartment. That’s as much as a new flat for the same cost as 15 years ago. Engelberg residents still have to vote for the project. It should be completed by the end of 2026. Cost: 50 million Swiss francs. (be)

Source :Blick