Housing for skilled workers
Berlin, October 6, 2025 - Housing across Germany, including in Berlin, is both scarce and in high demand. The debate over affordable housing, new construction and rising rents grows more intense each year. It’s no surprise, then, that housing has become both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses. A challenge because it makes it harder to attract skilled workers to the city. An opportunity because employee housing is once again gaining relevance, thus offering companies a way to provide living space that meets the needs and lifestyles of young professionals and skilled workers alike. The newly released Guide to Employee Housing explains what to consider, which target groups are most affected, and which housing models work best. The guide is an initiative by Berlin Partner, the Berlin-Brandenburg Real Estate Association (BFW Berlin Brandenburg) and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Berlin). It is aimed at companies looking to use employee housing as a strategic element of their HR and location policy – and to treat the provision or facilitation of housing for their workforce as a sustainable investment in their future.
“Companies that provide housing for their employees are not only investing in social responsibility – they’re also gaining a clear competitive edge,” says Dr. Stefan Franzke, CEO of Berlin Partner. “The shortage of affordable housing has long since become a limiting factor for business growth. Our guide lays out transparent options for companies to invest wisely and sustainably, ensuring their efforts pay off over the long term.”
What takeaways does the guide offer for businesses? To begin with, the guide defines the concept of employee housing: What does it mean, what should companies know about it, how does it work – and why can it deliver lasting value despite the organizational and financial effort involved? And of course: Who stands to benefit from it? Not to give too much away, but the benefits extend well beyond the real estate sector and employees themselves. Employers, municipalities, and ultimately business locations as a whole can all gain from this model, as the guide lays out clearly and concisely.
From there, the guide moves from the big picture to the practical details. For which target groups is employee housing most relevant? The focus is especially on apprentices and young professionals, but also on temporary specialists and managers, as well as existing employees whose living situations may have changed. This leads naturally to the next question: What housing models exist – and which are suitable for which group? The guide provides a clear overview of various models and hybrid forms, explaining how companies can access and implement them It also explores financial and legal aspects: Is it worth building housing directly, or does it make more sense to act as an intermediary tenant or to secure occupancy rights for certain units? The right choice depends on each company’s specific circumstances, but those with capacity, capital and know-how already meet key prerequisites.
After the theory comes practice. The guide presents solution sets that outline different requirements and approaches, giving companies an initial, hands-on perspective on the topic. A practical overview of tax, rental and subsidy considerations – as well as a curated list of potential partners who can help companies take the next steps – rounds out this valuable resource on employee housing.
Click here to go directly to the guide: https://www.ihk.de/berlin/beschaeftigtenwohnen