Millions, the state councilor Andrea Klambauer would like to spend, remain in the housing budget. In 2022 there will be an additional 15 million euros more for housing subsidies – “If we can build the expected 650 subsidized rental apartments, we need this budget. We expect to do that too,” said Klambauer.

SALZBURG. Around 150 million euros are reserved annually for housing subsidies. In order to take the rising construction prices into account, the subsidy rates for residential construction were increased in November 2020 and a further increase was decided in May 2021. However, these measures were of no use in implementing the goals for rental housing. 650 apartments were to be newly built, 138 have become (pledged at the end of September). In the budget for 2022 there is an additional 15 million euros for housing subsidies. The district papers spoke to the responsible regional councilor Andrea Klambauer (Neos) about the issues in this and her other departments:

Ms. Klambauer, around 40 million euros are left over from the housing budget this year. There will be 15 million euros more next year. Will this money be able to be spent in 2022?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: If we can build the 650 subsidized rental apartment, we need this budget in view of the rising building prices. We expect to do that too.

The fact that only 138 rental apartments were built this year has been heavily criticized. The opposition in particular speaks of a lack of ideas. What are you going to do?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: The country cannot build it itself, the non-profit property developers have to do that. We can only promote what is on our table. The non-profit organizations still have space, but cannot find any construction companies to implement their projects. I spoke to the companies; many of them will be busy until the second half of 2022. Raw material prices, raw material prices and the overheated economy are all contributing to this. So at the moment there is no idea among property developers how to counteract the trend in the short term. Some developers have awarded the contracts to individual trades, but when and when the developers themselves decide. A further increase in the funding rates would in any case be of no use.

How can it be that. The companies are so busy?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: The federal government has fired the problem with the investment premium. The construction industry did not have a slack, but construction activity continued.

Does this also have a negative effect on other (funding) areas in the Housing department?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: The condominium purchase promotion and the dormitory area work well. The renovation numbers also tightened, but it could be more. The implementing companies are also missing here. We have reduced the budget for house builders and the numbers for housing subsidies are also stable – the rent reduction program is working well here.

However, last year, when the companies were not yet working to capacity, the goals in subsidized rental housing were not achieved. Was it to be done in the medium term?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: This is about spatial planning. Land & secured and zoning contracts for eligible housing.

There will be five million euros more (70 million euros) in the coming year for kindergartens and toddler care. This is also a much-discussed area because there is a lack of elementary teachers. Will these five million euros more help?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: The budget in this department grows from year to year. You can tell that Salzburg neglected this area for a long time, but we are catching up now. Half of the money is invested in improving the quality of the framework conditions. The other half in the expansion of childcare places. In this way, for example, we secure the second full caregiver for 20 or more children.

Training is also to be boosted. There should be the new relocated class in Pinzgau with an extra-occupational college. Will that be enough to secure the skilled workers?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: In Salzburg we need 200 new elementary teachers every year if the expansion of childcare places continues at this pace. We have now decided on these additional courses of study of the Federal Institute for Kindergarten Pedagogy (Bafep), as well as the day college in Bischofshofen. Here, however, we are dependent on the federal schools and the requirements of the federal government. We – the country – are therefore currently working on the curriculum for our own toddler education courses.

Also an art “Narrow-gauge training “as it already exists in other federal states?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: similar. In any case, well-founded and of good quality.

What is there for the youngsters?
ANDREA KLAMBAUER: We are making an additional 200,000 euros available for projects in the field of youth and integration. The youth centers and organizations can also expect more funding.

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