Austria extends Wohnschirm housing support program until 2029

Austria has extended its housing support program, known as Wohnschirm, until the end of 2029. Supported by an annual budget of 28 million euros, the initiative aims to prevent evictions and energy disconnections for vulnerable households.

Since its implementation in March 2022, the rent assistance component has approved 18,736 applications. Of these, 17,086 were for securing current housing, while 1,650 were for relocation assistance. Data from the Ministry of Social Affairs indicates that 44 percent of these households include children, and 45 percent are headed by single parents. Women represent 53 percent of the supported adults.

The program also includes an energy protection pillar, which has approved 33,599 applications since January 2023, benefiting 90,827 individuals to prevent the shut-off of essential services like electricity and gas. Additionally, the ‘Housing First’ initiative has helped 1,815 homeless individuals secure permanent housing.