The AfD Berlin aims to prioritize ‘Berliners’ for subsidized housing, but the party’s top candidate, Kristin Brinker, stated that the precise definition of who qualifies as a ‘Berliner’ will only be worked out after the election.
AfD Berlin’s Stance on Housing Allocation
Kristin Brinker, the AfD’s leading candidate in Berlin, clarified to the ‘Tagesspiegel’ that there is no specific number of years of residency that would define someone as a ‘Berliner’ in the context of their proposed housing allocation system. Instead, she suggested that a ‘Berliner’ is someone who ‘keeps this city running, who supports it,’ citing professions such as care workers, tradespeople, or police officers as examples.
Despite repeated inquiries, Brinker did not provide a concrete number of years of residence that would qualify an individual as a ‘Berliner.’ She indicated that the exact details of how the system would be ‘set up’ would be ‘worked out later.’
‘Priority for Locals’ in the AfD Election Program
The AfD Berlin’s election program advocates for ‘priority for locals.’ Specifically, it proposes a points-based system where ‘Berliners, who were born here or have lived in our city for many years, are given preferential treatment in the allocation of subsidized housing.’ This policy would apply to rental apartments as well as properties owned by state-owned housing companies that are intended for sale.
The proposed points system for allocation would combine residency duration with criteria such as income level, number of children, care responsibilities, and employment in systemically relevant sectors.
Excluding Certain Groups from Housing Benefits
Brinker explicitly stated who would not be eligible for these housing benefits. She mentioned, ‘For example, the foreigners who are now being moved from refugee accommodations into such state-owned apartments,’ indicating a clear exclusionary intent behind the policy.
Wider Implications and Context
This proposal by the AfD Berlin aligns with a broader national discourse on immigration and social welfare, particularly concerning the allocation of resources. The lack of a clear definition for ‘Berliner’ prior to the election has drawn criticism, raising questions about the transparency and potential discriminatory nature of the proposed system.
The party’s focus on prioritizing certain segments of the population for housing, while explicitly excluding others, highlights a contentious aspect of their political agenda. The outcome of the election and subsequent policy definitions will significantly impact housing access and social integration in Berlin.
