Verena Hubertz aims to lower construction costs to boost housing

German Federal Minister for Housing, Verena Hubertz, aims to stimulate the housing market by reducing construction costs through improved process efficiency rather than compromising quality. Speaking at the IG BAU union conference in Kassel, Hubertz argued that while construction has become too expensive, there are specific levers to lower prices without reducing overall standards.

She cited a model project in Hamburg as an example, where stakeholders from politics, business, and various construction trades collaborated to identify cost-saving measures. These measures focus on technical and organizational optimizations, such as reducing unnecessary features, focusing on efficient processes, and adjusting specific structural elements like wall thickness or balcony attachment methods.

Hubertz also emphasized the economic importance of the construction sector in Germany, noting that it employs 2.6 million people—three times as many as the automotive industry—and accounts for every second euro invested in the country.