Wohnbauförderung#

Housing Promotion, key element of modern housing policy. Housing promotion was started in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and became more important during the First Republic, especially due to the "Bundeswohn- und Siedlungsfonds" (Federal Housing and Settlement Fund) and Community Housing in Vienna. In the Second Republic, housing promotion was considerably extended on federal, provincial and municipal level. Measures included the foundation of the "Wohnhaus-Wiederaufbaufonds" (Housing Reconstruction Fund) and housing promotion regulations in 1954. The Housing Promotion Act of 1968 initiated more reforms, putting housing promotion within the purview of the provinces and creating "Subjektfoerderung" (individual promotion taking into account the social situation of applicants). In 1987, it came under the jurisdiction of the provinces, which finally led to more specific forms of housing promotion. The home building industry also started to follow the principles of market economy, especially in the construction of owner-occupied homes. Due to the promotion of rehabilitation (home improvement) by the territorial authorities, further individual initiatives were also prompted.

From 1968 to 1993, 818,254 homes were created within the scope of housing promotion, costing ATS 358.7 billion of public funds. The average floor space of newly constructed flats increased from 76 m2 (1968) to 96 m2 (1993). In 1993, the provinces promoted the construction of 45,571 flats, investing ATS 22.4 billion. Housing promotion also includes the granting of tax privileges, and non-profit making housing development organisations play an important part in housing promotion. Apart from state-financed housing promotion, housing is also supported by the municipalities (granting of building grounds), by the business community and interest groups.