Housing Construction and Renovation as a Tool of Economic Prosperity. Summary

Housing construction may have a stabilising effect on the gross domestic product. The Austrian system of aid schemes furthermore has some controlling impact on demand. In order to cover the demand for housing, the subsidy system should, in the medium term, be repositioned in its capacity as control instrument through new aid schemes. A major point to be given greater consideration is the provision of social housing. Also of importance are innovations in the housing infrastructure and housing services. A key aspect will be the response to the ageing society – e.g., through focussing the aid schemes on older people and putting greater emphasis on barrier-free construction (as is envisaged in the government programme) and on ecological challenges.