BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Federal Building Minister Klara Geywitz is hoping that the agreement between the federal and state governments for faster planning and approval procedures will speed up housing construction. The pact with numerous measures will ensure the necessary acceleration, explained Geywitz on Tuesday in Berlin. This includes the states simplifying and standardizing their legal requirements. "In future, it will be possible to plan and build more quickly throughout Germany thanks to uniform specifications, including serial and modular production," emphasized the SPD politician. However, Geywitz added that this "acceleration pact" is just one element in a 14-point package of measures for additional investment in the construction of affordable housing that was adopted in September.

There has been a shortage of housing in Germany for years, especially in urban areas. Prices have skyrocketed due to the low supply on both the rental and purchase markets. The traffic light government has therefore set itself the target of building 400,000 new homes a year. But it has been missing this target for years.

The package now agreed by the federal and state governments comprises around 100 individual regulations, including those relating to freeways and train routes, the construction of apartments, loft conversions, heavy goods transportation and the erection of mobile phone masts and wind turbines. The federal and state governments want to standardize building regulations, for example, to increase housing construction./shy/DP/mis