Hamburg, July 12 – Good news for Hamburg’s housing construction sector: the number of building permits has significantly increased in the first half of the year. As NDR 90.3 exclusively reported, almost 3,300 residential units have been approved.
Building Permits Up by 46 Percent in First Half of 2026
Despite the ongoing crisis in the construction industry, investors in Hamburg are showing renewed interest in building. From January to June, there was a 46 percent increase in building permits compared to the same period last year. While only 2,244 units were approved then, the current figure stands at 3,287 approved apartments. This means Hamburg has reached one-third of its annual target of 10,000 building permits.
Pein: “Efforts are Showing Results”
Urban Development Senator Karen Pein (SPD) told NDR 90.3: “Usually, the majority of building permits are approved in the second half of the year. Therefore, it is encouraging that after the first half, we are 46 percent above last year’s level for the same period. This means we have reached half of the total apartments approved last year, and we are continuing on a consolidation course. The trough of 2023 is behind us, and our joint efforts with the economy to make construction simpler, faster, and more cost-effective are showing results.”
Housing Companies: “Moving in the Right Direction”
The Association of North German Housing Companies (VNW), which represents cooperatives and the municipal housing association SAGA, is also cautiously optimistic. VNW Director Andreas Breitner stated: “One swallow does not make a summer, but the development is moving in the right direction. Some companies may use the ‘Bau-Turbo’ (construction accelerator) decided by the federal government to implement already planned projects. In addition, there is a certain backlog because many companies have postponed projects in recent years due to the uncertain situation.”
Facilitations in attic conversions might have contributed to the momentum in building permits. However, it remains uncertain whether the city of Hamburg will achieve its goal of 10,000 building permits by the end of the year.
No 100-Year Rent-Controlled Social Housing Units Built Yet
Annually, around 1,000 new social housing units with a 100-year rent control were supposed to be built in Hamburg. Not a single one has been constructed yet.
Cooperative Housing as an Opportunity in Hamburg
Being a member of a cooperative can provide quicker access to affordable housing. Non-members can also apply.
Reduced Profits for Hamburg’s Municipal Housing Company, SAGA
Hamburg’s largest housing company manages approximately 140,000 apartments and over 1,500 commercial properties in the city.
Around 6,000 New Apartments to Be Completed in Hamburg in 2025
Compared to 2024, this represents a 28 percent decrease. Urban Development Senator Pein attributes this to the delayed effects of the construction crisis.
Source: NDR.de
