Cheap city apartments also for the rich? Zurich CFO Leupi shocked: “I don’t understand what Red-Green is doing.”

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Finding a cheap apartment in Zurich is almost like winning the lottery. Affordable housing is now more than scarce. To ensure that even those who do not have sufficient financial resources can find an apartment, the people of Zurich have specifically amended the planning and construction law.

Since 2019, municipalities can require a minimum share of affordable housing from private investors and construction cooperatives in the event of rezoning or repurposing. Since then, various criteria have been applied to the allocation of affordable apartments, including an income limit. This means that people with a low income in particular must be able to afford an apartment.

The left is overturning the income limits

But it was precisely the SP, the Greens and AL that overturned the income limits from the regulation in the municipal council on Wednesday with 60 votes against 52, reports the “Tages-Anzeiger”. True to the motto ‘For all instead of a few’, even the rich should be able to benefit from affordable housing. They also enforced exceptions to the residency requirement and minimum occupancy requirements.

Green CFO Daniel Leupi (58) in particular responded unusually sharply to his own political camp: “I don’t understand what the red-green group is doing.” Without an income limit, those who urgently need this housing would be disadvantaged.

“Black day for housing policy in Zurich”

GLP representative Nicolas Cavalli spoke of a “black day for Zurich’s housing policy”. If everyone were suddenly entitled to affordable housing, the shortage would become even greater. He is quoted in the Tages-Anzeiger saying that it cannot be the case that a millionaire could live alone in a five-room apartment for rent.

Claudia Rabelbauer (EPP) accused the left of “eyewashing”. The income limit is precisely about providing affordable housing to those who really need it. A referendum against the proposal is almost certain.

SP: Control means extra effort

The SP defended the abolition of income limits. Everyone, rich or not, should have the right to affordable housing. If possible, everyone should be able to live on rent, says spokesperson Patrick Tscherrig. No one should be forced to “finance the returns of real estate companies.”

Moreover, more regulation would also entail additional bureaucratic efforts. This makes the construction of cheap apartments less attractive. (dba)

Source:Blick