Persons who are confronted with a high rent can apply for a housing allowance (former housing benefits). Only if you rent independent living accommodation accessible by its own front door can you apply for a housing allowance. This application requires a person to be at least 18 years old. The amount of housing allowance depends on your income and your assets (your savings balance, for example).

Persons who are 23 or younger can only apply for a housing allowance if the basic rent which they pay (including service charges eligible for subsidy) lies between €209,37 and €357,37.
Persons who are 23 or older can only apply for a housing allowance if the basic rent which they pay lies between €209,37 and €647.53. If the rent exceeds these limits, a housing allowance can only be granted in special cases.

A housing allowance can be applied for with the Tax and Customs Administration.

Questions about housing allowances? The staff at the urban district council buildings, the Citizen's Advice Bureaus and the housing associations will be happy to provide the answers.