Language is a new requirement for obtaining collective housing
In the Austrian city of Klagenfurt, Deputy Mayor Patrick Junke (Scheider list, formerly of the FPÖ party) wants to link the granting of communal housing apartments to knowledge of the German language, specifically requiring a language certificate of at least level A2. This means that a person must be able to communicate the basics of the German language in order to obtain an apartment.
This requirement primarily concerns foreign applicants, and they must provide proof of their proficiency at this language level. Juncker is not the first to demand this; in the city of Villach, this rule is already in place, and the local council there plans to raise the required language level to B1, which means that the applicant should be able to talk about familiar topics and personal interests with ease.
In Salzburg, having a B1 certificate grants the applicant ten additional points in the evaluation system, whether the applicant is a foreigner or an Austrian, including seniors who may be required to provide a primary school certificate to prove their educational level.
The idea of Junke is inspired by the experience of the mayor of Wels, Andreas Rabl (FPÖ), where an A2 certificate is also required to obtain housing. In contrast, there are no similar plans in large cities like Graz.
The city of Innsbruck is going in the opposite direction, as a new housing distribution system will be implemented starting June 1, making it more accessible, and applicants will not be required to obtain a permanent residence permit.
In Vienna, this idea was proposed back in 2020 before the municipal council elections. The FPÖ party has recently renewed its demand to link the provision of communal housing to proficiency in the German language, especially for asylum seekers whose children do not speak German upon entering school. However, it remains unclear whether this policy will actually be implemented, especially since there are already facilities for the category of 'long-term residents in Vienna' who receive additional points that enhance their chances of obtaining housing.