Halle (Saale)

1. Cultural Heritage: Halle (Saale) is home to the famous composer Georg Friedrich Handel, who was born there in 1685. The city celebrates its musical heritage with annual festivals and events dedicated to his work. 2. Historic Sites: The city boasts several medieval buildings, including the impressive Market Church of St. Mary, known for its unique architecture and stunning stained glass windows, which tell the story of Halle's rich history. 3. Innovative Research Hub: Halle is also recognized for its contributions to scientific research, particularly in the fields of biosciences and sustainable agriculture, thanks to institutions like the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, which attracts researchers from all over the world.

In Halle (Saale), around 80% of residents rent their homes, with home ownership at about 20%. The rental market is dominant, reflecting patterns common to many East German cities. As of early 2025, the median rent for apartments in Halle is approximately 8 to 9 Euros per square meter per month. For those wishing to purchase, the average price for an apartment is roughly 2,400 to 2,800 Euros per square meter. Publicly owned housing plays a significant role in Halle’s housing landscape. The city’s main provider, Hallesche Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH (HWG), is among the largest landlords, controlling a substantial share of the housing stock. Public housing, provided by such municipal companies, makes up an estimated 20–25% of the total housing supply. In Halle, public housing is not synonymous with social housing. Public housing refers broadly to city-owned apartments rented at market or near-market rates, while social housing is reserved for individuals and families with legal entitlement based on income, offering lower rents and special tenancy protections. In summary, the rental market is strong, apartment prices remain moderate by German standards, and municipally owned housing forms a vital buffer against market pressures, even as targeted social housing remains a smaller, more regulated segment.

Halle (Saale)’s city administration faces growing challenges in affordable and sustainable housing, prompted by high demand, limited rental stock, and sluggish construction. In response, the city has recently emphasized two main strategic directions: modernizing existing housing with sustainability standards and supporting targeted new construction. The city aims to increase both affordable and energy-efficient housing options, aligning with broader EU and national sustainability and climate goals. Key recent activities include promotion of new residential projects such as “Wohnen an der Alten Heerstrasse.” This development—comprising 178 homes—adheres to the KfW55 energy efficiency standard, which reduces energy consumption by nearly half compared to traditional buildings. Features like underfloor heating, high-quality windows, and green spaces contribute both to ecological and social sustainability. While this project mainly targets homebuyers, the city is also encouraging construction of similar energy-efficient, mixed-income developments elsewhere. Additionally, municipal housing companies like Hallesche Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH (HWG) are actively involved in upgrading older building stock to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs, and limit rent increases. These retrofits integrate environmentally friendly systems and materials, in line with European best practices such as those promoted by the EU’s Affordable Housing Initiative. City-wide communicated targets focus on expanding affordable rental stock, boosting the energy efficiency of municipal housing, and protecting vulnerable populations from displacement due to rising rents. By supporting both new sustainable construction and deep retrofits of existing units, Halle (Saale) aims to offer more equitable, climate-friendly housing solutions in the years ahead.

Wohnungsgenossenschaften spielen in Halle (Saale) eine stabile und bedeutende Rolle im Wohnungsmarkt. Rund 12,5 Prozent der Wohnungen in der Stadt werden von Genossenschaften bewirtschaftet, ähnlich viele wie von kommunalen Wohnungsunternehmen. Damit liegt der Anteil der Genossenschaftswohnungen in Halle deutlich über dem bundesdeutschen Durchschnitt. Bedeutende Genossenschaften wie die WG Frohe Zukunft (etwa 5.600 Wohnungen und über 9.000 Mitglieder) und die Hallesche Wohnungsgenossenschaft FREIHEIT eG prägen das Angebot mit sozialverträglichen Mieten und investieren gezielt in seniorengerechtes sowie nachhaltiges Wohnen. Aktuell ist der Wohnungsneubau in Halle wie im gesamten Bundesland rückläufig, und die Dynamik im Ausbau von Genossenschaftswohnungen ist begrenzt. Die Genossenschaften konzentrieren sich zunehmend auf die Sanierung und Modernisierung ihres Bestands, insbesondere mit Fokus auf Energieeffizienz und soziale Angebote, wie etwa Projekte für seniorengerechtes Wohnen. Die Stadt fördert kooperative Wohnformen wie Genossenschaften durch Zusammenarbeit mit den Akteuren sowie Einbindung in integrierte Stadtentwicklungs- und Wohnungskonzepte. Kooperationsprojekte zwischen kommunalen Unternehmen und Genossenschaften, insbesondere im Bereich nachhaltiger Quartiersentwicklung, werden gezielt unterstützt. Programme zur energetischen Sanierung und soziale Mischung stehen dabei im Fokus, konkrete Neubau-Fördermaßnahmen für Genossenschaften sind jedoch aktuell weniger sichtbar. Die genossenschaftliche Wohnungswirtschaft bleibt dennoch ein wichtiger Bestandteil für erschwingliches und sozialverträgliches Wohnen in Halle.