The air is thick with the scent of sawdust and fresh plaster. Power drills hum, hammers clang, and the rhythmic scrape of a trowel against a wall fills what was once a silent, forgotten house in Munich’s Allach-Untermenzing district. This isn’t a professional construction site; it’s a home being reborn by the hands of its future residents, young people eager to make a mark and find an affordable place to live in one of Germany’s most expensive cities.
A Broken-Down House, a Budget Rent, and a Dream
For Bennett Eisfeld, a 26-year-old from Dachau, the prospect of paying just 200 euros warm rent for his shared flat (WG) room is nothing short of a luxury in Munich. But this affordability comes with a unique condition: he, along with six other future flatmates, must personally transform a dilapidated 1930s house into a habitable living space. Bennett, who had never installed a drywall before, is confident he’ll master the task and move into his new home by the end of the year.
While Bennett drills and plasters upstairs, Lukas Schulz, another flatmate, crafts his future room door from old terrace beams downstairs. All the WG members are actively involved in the renovation of the former two-family house. Three of the seven rooms are already complete, a testament to their collective effort and determination.
Self-Renovation: The Heart of ‘Temporary Living’
This innovative project, dubbed ‘Zwischenwohnen’ (Temporary Living), is a brainchild born out of necessity. The house, owned by the city of Munich, stood vacant due to a lack of funds for its renovation. The solution? Allow young people to take on the renovation themselves, in exchange for significantly reduced rent. It’s a win-win scenario: the city saves on renovation costs, and young residents gain affordable housing and a sense of ownership over their living spaces.
Dominik Krause, Munich’s second mayor from the Green Party, expressed his admiration for the work already accomplished by the future residents during a recent visit. He spoke of his personal connection to the house, having walked past it daily on his way to school for years, and expressed his joy at seeing it filled with life once again.
The Munich District Youth Council: Guiding the Way
While temporary uses for vacant commercial properties or dilapidated buildings are common, such initiatives for residential homes are rare in Germany. The Munich pilot project in Allach-Untermenzing is largely overseen by the Kreisjugendring (KJR) – the Munich District Youth Council. After gaining approval from the municipal department responsible for city properties, the KJR embarked on the search for potential residents.
A Chance for Self-Realization
The unique DIY-focused shared flat attracted around 160 interested individuals, with 30 attending the viewing. Ultimately, seven residents, all in their twenties, were selected to participate. Lukas, busy with his door made from terrace beams, was one of the first to join. He quickly realized the house was a ‘Bruchbude’ (a broken-down shack) requiring immense effort. However, he also saw the project as a unique opportunity for self-realization.
Flexible Lease Agreements for a Dynamic Future
The WG residents have leased the house from the city through an association they specifically founded for the project. To allow for flexibility, should the city eventually secure funding or a new plan for the property, the house has been leased to the association under a commercial rental agreement. This arrangement provides more flexible termination rights. However, the house is expected to remain in the hands of the residents’ association for a period of five to fifteen years.
A Model for Private Owners?
Svenja Gutzeit from the Munich District Youth Council hopes that this project will inspire others. She believes that not only the city but also private property owners could consider temporarily renting out vacant, renovation-needing residential properties to young people. This would allow residents to renovate the property in exchange for reduced rent, providing a mutually beneficial solution to the housing challenges.
Whether this model gains widespread adoption remains to be seen. But by the end of the year, the house in Allach-Untermenzing will be fully revitalized and buzzing with life, a testament to the power of community and innovative solutions.
Source: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/selbstverwirklichung-und-wohnen-bruchbude-fuer-geringe-miete,V4zgkp5
