Cantonal Council OW Canton Obwalden examines measures for more affordable housing

On Friday, the Obwalden parliament spoke out in favor of examining measures for more affordable housing. It converted a corresponding motion from the ranks of the CSP into a postulate and passed it.

The vacancy rate in the canton of Obwalden remains at a record low level of 0.5 percent, said Helen Keiser (CSP). This is lower than in the city of Geneva. She therefore called on the government to draw up an overview of various support measures.

These include, for example, a law on the promotion of affordable housing, as already exists in the neighboring canton of Nidwalden, models for renting out rental apartments to more suitable household sizes based on their floor space or support for the establishment of housing cooperatives.

The government wrote in its report and proposal that the party's concerns were met with understanding. However, it was necessary to examine in depth whether the "complex" measures were suitable instruments. It requested that the request be converted into a postulate and subsequently accepted.

Measures needed at federal level

Stefan Flück (FDP) said that some measures for more affordable housing had already been examined at other levels. For example, in the federal government's action plan against housing shortages. Once the results were available, they could be discussed in the Council. Peter Krummenacher (Center/GLP) added that housing construction was not a government task, but a private sector one.

Hubert Schumacher (SVP) said that the low vacancy rate was confirmation that demand was greater than supply. "But why? The center-left does not want to admit that immigration has a major impact on the housing market."

Helen Keiser (CSP) warned against being confused by either the "spectre of immigration" or the objection of the "free market economy". "The fact is that there is a housing shortage in Obwalden and that residents are suffering as a result. By accepting the postulate, they are simply saying yes to an analysis of the situation in order to tackle this problem."

Parliament voted 49 to 0 in favor of converting the motion into a postulate. The postulate was adopted by 28 votes to 21.