Redevelopment initiative in Offenbach: Affordable housing at the old freight depot
In the heart of Offenbach, a new residential quarter is taking shape, promising to bring a breath of fresh air to the city's housing market. The project, masterminded by the GBO (Non-profit Building Society Offenbach), is set to provide 65 apartments and a daycare centre on the site of the former freight railway station.
The primary objective of this residential project is to enable tenants to remain in their own apartment for as long as possible. To achieve this, 45 already renovated apartments from the GBO's existing portfolio will be transferred to rent control and made available to households with low income, accounting for 43 percent of the living space.
A significant innovation in this construction project is the floor exclusively for seniors on the first floor, featuring 20 barrier-free one- and two-room apartments. The apartments will be equipped with balconies, and a communally usable rooftop terrace will serve as an extension of the living space.
A green arcade will provide access to the apartments and will double as a meeting place for the residents. A community room and an office for a care service will also be available within this space.
The state of Hesse has provided the necessary funding for this project at the beginning of February, with the city of Offenbach contributing 2.2 million euros from the municipal housing subsidy. The construction start is planned for the beginning of 2026, and if all goes according to plan, the first tenants could move in during the first half of 2028.
The remaining 37 apartments will be offered on the free market at a relatively affordable rent of around 15 euros per square metre. This affordable pricing strategy is part of the project's unique concept, which incurs additional costs.
Offenbach has seen a decline in social housing over the past 25 years, with the percentage dropping from 9% to 6% of its total housing stock. This project is a step towards addressing the need for more affordable housing options in the city.
The project is located near the future quarter park and Emmy-Noether-Gymnasium, and the GBO is currently in coordination with the building authority. For precise details about a specific project in Offenbach, local government announcements or developers' press releases would be the best sources.
- What about the financial aspects of this project? It seems the state of Hesse and the city of Offenbach have provided funding, and the remaining apartments will be offered at a relatively affordable rent. Is there any additional investment opportunity for individuals interested in supporting this project's unique concept?
- Given the focus on affordable housing and creating spaces for various lifestyles, could this project potentially expand its offerings to include finance seminars or workshops on investing, maybe even a home-and-garden section focusing on DIY projects to further empower tenants and promote financial independence?
- With the senior-friendly floor and the community room for care services, this project appears well-suited for older residents. However, one might wonder if there are plans to develop similar initiatives in other areas of Offenbach, considering the need for more affordable housing options in the city, particularly in light of the decline in social housing over the past 25 years.
