Housing Shortages and Legal Security: Speyer's Social Policy in March 2026

The Social Committee and the New Ordinance

On March 25, 2026, the Social Committee of the city of Speyer met for its fifth session of the year. The main agenda items were the proposals for a new ordinance on the use of homeless shelters and accommodations for people seeking protection. The old ordinance from 2005 was repealed and replaced by a new version that creates legally secure and uniform regulations for the housing of homeless individuals.

The new ordinance specifies the rights and obligations of users as well as the city's management options. Particular attention is paid to the clear fee regulation, which is based on the Rhineland-Palatinate Municipal Charges Act. This creates a uniform standard for the use of social accommodations that is transparent and comprehensible for both the city and its users.

Reasonable Accommodation Costs: A New Concept

Another focus of the meeting was the proposal of a coherent concept for determining reasonable accommodation costs in accordance with § 22 SGB II and § 35 SGB XII. Since 2023, the city of Speyer has been required to assess and recognize the so-called reasonable cost limits for accommodation for recipients of transfer payments.

For this purpose, the company Koopmann Analytics KG was commissioned in 2023 to develop a concept. The data is based on a comprehensive survey of landlords conducted in 2024. The results were updated on July 1, 2026, using an index-based continuation, as required by the Federal Social Court.

The new reasonable cost limits for gross cold rents have increased significantly and are based on the living space per person:

• 1 person: 50 m² – 527 Euro
• 2 persons: 60 m² – 552 Euro
• 3 persons: 80 m² – 724.80 Euro
• 4 persons: 90 m² – 897.30 Euro
• 5 persons: 105 m² – 1055.25 Euro
• Each additional person: +15 m² – +150.75 Euro

The adjustment to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects the rising costs in the housing market and protects socially vulnerable people from disproportionate burdens.

Asylum Reception and Current Status

Another report item was the status report on asylum reception. The city of Speyer has increasingly provided support for people seeking protection in recent years. The report showed that the current infrastructure and cooperation with municipal partners remains stable, but also that the requirements for integration and long-term housing are growing.

The administration also provided information on the DZT Table (Service Center for Participation in Working Life), which plays a central role in advising and supporting refugees. Some challenges, such as long-term housing planning and medical care, were identified as future areas of action.

Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities

The decisions of the Social Committee in March 2026 mark a milestone in the social and housing policy of the city of Speyer. The new ordinance provides legal clarity and enables targeted support for homeless individuals. At the same time, it becomes clear that rising rents and the demand for accommodation continue to be a challenge for the city administration.

In the coming months, it will be important to see whether the new regulations can be implemented in practice and whether they actually lead to an improved quality of life for those affected. It will also be important to observe how asylum reception continues to develop and whether additional resources will be required.

Speyer has clearly chosen a socially acceptable and legally secure policy in March 2026 – now it is up to the city to implement these decisions in reality.