Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Berlin Housing Shortage and Rents Dominate Election Debate
Berlin does not have enough homes for all the people who want to live there.
Rents have almost doubled since 2014, making it hard for many families and workers to afford apartments.
Many voters are angry about the housing problem and are focusing on it in the city election.
One big argument is about Tempelhofer Feld, a large park that used to be an airport.
Some parties want to build a limited number of homes there, while others want to keep the park mostly open.
The Left Party wants more affordable homes and temporary limits on rent increases.
The Alternative for Germany says immigration is helping make the housing shortage worse.
Berlin has grown economically, but that growth has also pushed up land and housing prices.
The election is also difficult for the governing Christian Democratic Union and Social Democratic Party because of recent controversies.
Berlin is expected to need 211,000 additional homes by 2040, while advertised rents have nearly doubled since 2014.
Housing is the top concern for voters in a city where 85% of households rent their homes.
The election debate has focused on whether to permit limited construction at Tempelhofer Feld, a popular former airport turned park.
The Left Party proposes affordable-home construction, a one-year rent freeze and limits on future increases, while the Alternative for Germany links the crisis to immigration.
The governing Christian Democratic Union and Social Democratic Party face political difficulties ahead of the September 20 vote.
- Who
- Berlin voters and the city’s political parties, including the Christian Democratic Union, Social Democratic Party, The Left, the Alternative for Germany, the Greens and the Free Democratic Party.
- What
- A September 20 Berlin election dominated by the housing shortage, rising rents and debate over development at Tempelhofer Feld.
- When
- The vote is scheduled for September 20; the report was published on September 18.
- Where
- Berlin, Germany, especially Tempelhofer Feld, the city’s former airport site and current public park.
- Why
- Berlin needs more homes, rents have sharply increased, and the shortage has created widespread voter frustration and disagreement over development, immigration and rent controls.
Protect public space and expand rent protections
Build homes and restrict immigration
Development at Tempelhofer Feld
Protect public space and expand rent protections
The Social Democratic Party, Greens and The Left oppose construction at Tempelhofer Feld and favor developing other sites; the 100% Tempelhofer Feld initiative says the park is social and ecological infrastructure.
Build homes and restrict immigration
The Christian Democratic Union, Free Democratic Party and Alternative for Germany support limited housing development on parts of Tempelhofer Feld, arguing that housing needs are now greater than when the referendum was held.
How to address housing affordability
Protect public space and expand rent protections
The Left Party proposes building affordable homes, freezing rents for one year, limiting increases to 1%, reducing rents more than 20% above the local average and restricting holiday rentals in housing blocks.
Build homes and restrict immigration
Supporters of development argue that adding homes, including at Tempelhofer Feld, would help ease the shortage, while the report says many renters believe broader affordability measures are still needed.
Role of immigration
Protect public space and expand rent protections
The Left Party’s campaign emphasizes affordable housing and rent controls as responses to the crisis.
Build homes and restrict immigration
The Alternative for Germany uses the housing shortage to support its argument for restricting immigration.
- Projected housing need
- 211,000 additional homes by 2040
- Rent increase
- Advertised rents have nearly doubled since 2014
- Households renting
- 85% of Berlin households
- Election date
- September 20
- Latest poll
- The Left 23%, Christian Democratic Union 21%, Alternative for Germany about 17%, according to a September 11 Forschungsgruppe Wahlen poll
- Tempelhofer Feld referendum
- Nearly two-thirds of Berliners voted in 2014 to keep the site largely free of development
- Demonstration
- Thousands protested high rents in Berlin on September 5