Housing, Social Affairs, and Inclusion: The Focus of Municipal Policy in Potsdam in February 2026

Housing shortages, social justice, and inclusion: Potsdam's policy in focus

February 2026 was an intense month for social and housing policy in Potsdam. Central topics included the development of social infrastructure, combating housing shortages through intensified controls, securing social housing, and implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Numerous decisions and planning initiatives were launched that could have a long-term impact on the city's social structure.

Social Preservation Ordinances: Preventing Displacement

A central topic was the drafting of Social Preservation Ordinances for the districts of "Babelsberg Nord" and "Barocke Stadterweiterung." These ordinances aim to ensure the social composition of the population and prevent displacement processes caused by rising rents.

The city has already conducted a social space screening that identified areas of concern. The Council entrusted the administration with commissioning a more in-depth social space study through an external agency. The goal is to base the ordinance on scientific grounds and, if necessary, refine the applicable areas.

The Social Preservation Ordinance is an instrument of special urban development law that promotes the long-term stability of entire districts rather than individual tenant protection. Rent increases remain possible, but constructional changes and changes in use are subject to a permit requirement. However, the right of first refusal applies in these areas, which can protect tenants from unwanted displacement.

Combating housing shortages: Lockers for the homeless and intensified controls

Another focus was on combating housing shortages. The city plans to install lockers for homeless people, to be located at central locations such as the Social Campus Behlertstraße, next to the soup kitchen, and near the train station. The cost for a facility is around 50,000 euros, although maintenance costs have not yet been accurately estimated.

In addition, intensified controls on the misuse of residential space were decided. Apartments rented out as vacation homes via online platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com are removed from the regular housing market and exacerbate the lack of affordable housing. The administration is to pay more attention to such violations and impose fines. In addition, it is being examined whether the existing ordinance against the misuse of residential space needs to be adjusted to remain legally sound and effective.

Care and social infrastructure: The land pool as a central building block

In light of the increasing care needs in Potsdam, it was decided to establish a municipal land pool for care and social infrastructure. The goal is to secure land in good time for the construction of care facilities to ensure planning security. The target size is at least 4,000 m² per facility, and the land is to be subject to binding conditions.

The administration has been tasked with examining whether city-owned land needs to be purchased or leased. A report on the status of the land pool is planned for autumn 2026. The land pool is part of a strategic property management approach that also analyzes existing land for social infrastructure and exploits synergies between different municipal areas.

Poverty report and heat protection: Focusing on social justice

Another important project decided in February 2026 is the preparation of a poverty and wealth report for Potsdam. This report is intended to make social inequality transparent and derive recommendations for political action. It will be created in cooperation with scientific institutions and social organizations and updated every five years. Topics such as income distribution, old-age poverty, and access to health and cultural services are central.

In addition, an urgent motion was submitted to implement heat protection measures for vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, and pregnant women in the short term. Due to climate change and the increasing heat burden in Brandenburg, this is an urgent issue. Communication of the measures to practices, pharmacies, and public transport companies is to take place before the start of the holidays to provide timely protection against temperatures above 30°C.

Outlook: Social infrastructure and housing policy in the coming months

The decisions and planning of February 2026 form a solid basis for the social and urban development of Potsdam. The implementation of the Social Preservation Ordinances, the establishment of the land pool, and the fight against housing shortages through intensified controls and new infrastructure such as lockers for the homeless are steps toward a more socially just city.

In the coming months, the focus will be particularly on the implementation of the projects – for example, the preparation of the poverty report, the execution of the in-depth study on the preservation ordinances and the report on the land pool. In addition, the new version of the ordinance against the misuse of residential space and the conversion of the former kindergarten "Wilde Früchtchen" into student housing will be monitored.