Leadership Turmoil Ends at Münchner Wohnen: New Trio Takes Helm
Munich, February 12 – After months of negative headlines, Münchner Wohnen, Munich’s largest municipal housing association, has presented its new leadership team. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) introduced Jörg Franzen as the new CEO and Gabriele Meier as the Technical Director for new construction and renovation. Christian Müller, who previously managed the company alone, will continue as the Operational Director, focusing on tenant relations.
The company, which manages approximately 70,000 apartments and serves 150,000 tenants, has faced significant challenges. These included high staff turnover, with one executive leaving after less than four weeks, as well as issues with incorrect billing, broken elevators, undeveloped land, and even complaints about a holiday apartment operating in one of its buildings.
New Leadership to Tackle Challenges and Improve Public Image
Mayor Reiter expressed his dissatisfaction with the negative media coverage but acknowledged the need for improvement. He drew a comparison to former Finance Minister Markus Söder (CSU) selling 30,000 apartments, suggesting a disparity in reporting focus.
Jörg Franzen, the new CEO, has committed to improving Münchner Wohnen’s public perception. He also aims to reduce construction costs, which currently stand at around 6,000 euros per square meter in Munich. Franzen noted that state-owned housing companies in Berlin have achieved costs of approximately 3,500 euros per square meter. While acknowledging Munich’s higher construction costs, he emphasized the goal of reducing expenses by a third through methods like serial construction and fewer tenders.
Both Franzen and Meier previously worked for state-owned housing associations in Berlin, bringing valuable experience to their new roles. Müller, a former SPD parliamentary group leader, has been instrumental in leading the company during its transitional phase.
Rent Freeze and Future Plans
The question of the rent freeze, in place for municipal apartments since 2019, was also addressed. Mayor Reiter stated that while the management team has reservations, the decision rests with the city council. The rent freeze is currently valid until the end of 2026, and its extension will depend on the city’s budget.
The new leadership’s immediate priorities include stabilizing operations, enhancing tenant satisfaction, and improving the efficiency of construction and renovation projects. The goal is to make Münchner Wohnen less reliant on federal and state subsidies, which are becoming scarcer.
The appointment of this new leadership team marks a critical juncture for Münchner Wohnen as it seeks to overcome past difficulties and re-establish its reputation as a reliable and efficient housing provider for the citizens of Munich.
Source: https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/muenchen/fuehrungschaos-beendet-muenchner-wohnen-stellt-neues-chef-trio-vor-art-1112162
