Berlin Partner, BFW Landesverband , CCI Berlin launch initiative for employee housing

The BFW Regional Association Berlin/Brandenburg, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Berlin) and Berlin Partner have jointly released a new digital guide titled “Smart Housing Solutions for a Thriving Workforce”– Germany’s first publication of its kind on employee housing. The guide is designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering a clear overview of the different options for providing housing to employees. From traditional company housing to apartments for trainees or units rented through housing associations, the guide helps businesses identify which solution best fits their needs – and what steps are required to make it happen. Through this initiative, BFW, CCI Berlin and Berlin Partner are building a direct bridge between companies looking for housing solutions and the real estate sector. The official presentation will take place on October 6 in Munich at the international real estate trade fair Expo Real, at the joint Berlin-Brandenburg booth (Stand B2.420), with Berlin’s Finance Senator Stefan Evers in attendance.

Berlin is booming and continues to attract talent from around the world, yet the capital’s economic success is increasingly constrained by a stark lack of housing. The issue has long since moved from the local pages of the press to the business section – and into the boardrooms of major companies. It affects both domestic and international firms relocating to Berlin, as well as established companies looking to expand. Those seeking to recruit skilled workers from outside the city face growing challenges in helping them find suitable housing. The crisis threatens to slow growth across the entire Berlin economy.

The three partners behind the initiative bring together complementary expertise. That the top institutions of Berlin’s business community  –  the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Berlin) representing local enterprises, and Berlin Partner as the agency attracting international companies – have joined forces with the BFW, the voice of the real estate industry, underscores the urgency of the issue.

”As a regional association, we hear every day from Berlin businesses how dramatically the housing shortage is complicating their search for skilled workers,” says Susanne Klabe, managing director of the BFW Regional Association Berlin/Brandenburg. “At the same time, we know our member companies are ready to help build the housing that’s needed. This guide is the critical link  – it gives businesses clear, actionable pathways and connects them directly with real estate players who can deliver solutions.”

“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.”

“It’s no exaggeration to say that this guide is the first of its kind in Germany,” says Manja Schreiner, CEO of the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCI Berlin). “It gives Berlin-based companies clear, actionable steps  –  from arranging shared housing for apprentices to providing furnished apartments for international specialists or securing long-term accommodation through occupancy rights. Many businesses want to offer employee housing, but small and mid-sized firms without large HR departments or relocation teams often struggle to find the right approach. This guide helps them take an active role in shaping the housing market  – to the benefit of the entire Berlin economy. Those who create housing solutions today are securing the skilled workforce of tomorrow.”

The digital guide offers practical insights into how partnerships can work in real life. It connects companies seeking housing solutions directly with experts from the real estate sector – from project developers building employee housing to property management firms supporting long-term operations. Hosted on a dedicated landing page by the CCI Berlin, the guide features interactive links that make it easy for businesses to contact potential partners and develop tailored housing solutions for their workforce.

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology – Working for Innovation and Growth

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology is the capital’s business development agency for growth and innovation. The organization supports companies and investors as they relocate to Berlin and expand their presence in the city. Its experts provide guidance on financing opportunities, advise on finding suitable space and qualified staff, and help build networks with partners from the research community. Berlin Partner is backed by the State of Berlin and more than 250 companies committed to promoting their city, making it a strong public-private partnership. In addition, Berlin Partner is responsible for marketing Germany’s capital on the global stage. www.berlin-partner.de/en