Stuttgart is known for being the birthplace of the automobile, as it is home to both Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, which have their headquarters in the city. This has made Stuttgart a significant hub for the automotive industry.
The housing market in Stuttgart, Germany, is experiencing significant challenges. Approximately 60% of the population rents their apartments, while 40% own their homes. The city faces a severe housing shortage, with a high demand for new apartments and a substantial backlog of uncompleted construction projects. In 2021, only 1,517 new apartments were completed, which is insufficient to meet the demand. The city aims to create more affordable housing by promoting internal development, redensification, and the development of building land in outer areas. The average asking rent has increased by 2.6% to €15.55/m², and the median asking price for residential properties is €5,530/m². To address the housing crisis, Stuttgart has implemented measures such as subsidized urban land, loans, and grants for social housing. The city has occupancy rights to 16,500 apartments, which are assigned through a waitlist system. Despite these efforts, the housing market remains tense, with a significant shortage of available apartments, estimated to be around 50,000 to 70,000 units missing in the metropolitan region. The city continues to face challenges in balancing the high demand for housing with the need for affordable and sustainable solutions.
Housing cooperatives in Stuttgart play a significant role in providing affordable and community-led housing solutions. These cooperatives offer a collaborative approach to managing housing, emphasizing resident participation and democratic decision-making. In Stuttgart, housing cooperatives have a notable market share, contributing to the city's housing stock and addressing affordability issues. Recent years have seen the emergence of new housing cooperatives in Stuttgart, such as the Baugemeinschaft Tor zur Welt, which focuses on creating affordable and socially acceptable housing. The city promotes cooperative housing through various initiatives, including public land concessions and subsidies for new projects. For instance, the German government has introduced new federal subsidy programs to boost the market for cooperative housing, which Stuttgart can leverage to support its cooperative housing sector. Overall, Stuttgart's housing cooperatives are crucial for providing stable and affordable housing options, and the city's support for these initiatives helps in addressing the ongoing housing challenges.