In view of the looming over-indebtedness of households with low and medium incomes due to the massively rising energy prices, it is to be feared that for many people the money available will no longer be enough to cover the rent.
“Here, the state must act together with the municipalities,” said Sigrun Krack, spokesperson for the LAG Social Affairs and Health of the Green Party Saarland. “Nationwide, there are successful programs that finance prevention counseling centers. These work closely with housing industry stakeholders in the municipalities. As soon as landlords notice that tenants are behind on their rent payments, the counselors are brought in and try to find solutions together to avoid eviction. But tenants themselves can also turn to the counseling centers to get support early on.”
It is overdue for Saarland to take action here. The state could provide start-up funding in a pilot project, which would oblige municipalities to set up appropriate positions. “It makes more sense to invest in preventing homelessness than to finance the consequences later. In the long term, such a program saves money,” said Uta Sullenberger, the state chairwoman of the Green Party Saarland.
