BBU reports decline in apartment completions in Berlin for 2027

The members of the Berlin-Brandenburg Housing Association completed significantly more apartments last year than the year before, but will not be able to maintain the current level. The association assumes that just over 5,500 new apartments will be completed by member companies in Berlin this year - after more than 5,900 last year. According to current plans, the value could fall drastically to 3,940 in 2027. A total of around 11,000 apartments were completed in Berlin last year.

“This means that more than every second apartment completed in Berlin in 2025 will come from a social housing company,” said the BBU. The association represents municipal, church, cooperative and private sector actors. They account for almost 45 percent of the rental housing stock in the capital.

Construction will begin on more than 7,500 new BBU apartments this year

For the current year, companies are planning investments of 3.7 billion euros - 15.1 percent more than last year. Almost 900 million euros of this will flow into the modernization of buildings, and almost 1.7 billion euros into new construction. The maintenance and repair costs 1.1 billion euros.

The number of construction starts, which increased from 3,242 in 2024 to more than 6,500 last year, gives hope for the tense Berlin housing market. This year it could rise even further to 7,558.

Association against expropriations

The association believes the concerns about affordable housing are justified, but sees socialization as the wrong approach. “Expropriation does not create a single additional apartment, and none of the existing ones become cheaper as a result,” said BBU board member Maren Kern, according to the announcement. A triad of more new construction, consistent enforcement of current rental law and more transparency in energy costs would make more sense.

To combat the “black sheep” on the rental market, the association suggests making it easier to punish rent increases and strengthening tenant advice and the rent inspection office.