Germany's €300M Plan Turns Empty Offices Into Homes This Summer
Federal Housing Minister Verena Hubertz has unveiled a new funding scheme called From Commercial to Residential. The programme will offer financial support to convert empty commercial buildings into homes. Officials say it will tackle the housing shortage while improving city centres.
The initiative launches this summer, with applications opening on 1 July. Funding will only be available for projects that begin construction after approval. Grants of up to €30,000 per converted residential unit will be offered, with a maximum of €300,000 per company.
Each project must create at least one new apartment, and priority will go to climate-friendly renovations. The scheme targets heated buildings—or parts of buildings—not currently used for housing. A total of €300 million has been allocated from the government's special assets. Full details will be published in the Federal Law Gazette on Thursday. Hubertz also highlighted the programme's broader benefits, including revitalising urban areas and enhancing quality of life. The grants will not need to be repaid.
The new funding aims to ease housing pressures by repurposing vacant commercial spaces. Eligible applicants can apply from July, provided construction has not yet started. Officials have not released data on past conversion rates, but the scheme is set to run with clear financial limits and sustainability goals.
