Poland's 'fixer-upper' incentive offers people discounted rent | DW News

Summary

Poland's 'renovate-to-rent' program offers affordable housing options to tenants willing to renovate neglected apartments in exchange for reduced rent. In cities like Kielce and Kraków, people like Aleksandra Skóra and Edyta Pawluszek are breathing new life into dilapidated homes, despite the heavy investment of time and money required. The program aims to tackle the housing shortage by providing low rent in exchange for renovation work, benefiting both residents and the city. However, challenges remain, with many families struggling to secure affordable housing amidst rising prices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Poland has a program offering cheap rent in exchange for tenants renovating neglected apartments.
• 😀 Aleksandra Skóra, a pastry chef, is excited to take on a dilapidated apartment in Kielce, where she plans to do most of the renovations herself.
• 😀 The program is highly competitive, with many more applicants than available apartments.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, Aleksandra remains optimistic about bringing new life to the neglected space.
• 😀 Ewelina Jastrzębska from the city government believes that tenants who take on the renovation challenge will succeed.
• 😀 Kraków's rental market has skyrocketed, making affordable apartments even harder to come by for families.
• 😀 Ula Wrońska, a mother of five, describes how the program helped her secure an affordable apartment near her children's school.
• 😀 The program takes family size into account, with larger families having a better chance of securing a renovated apartment.
• 😀 Applicants are competing for 180 apartments in Kraków, many of which require complete gutting and renovation.
• 😀 Edyta Pawluszek from Kielce invested 70,000 euros to renovate a rental apartment, demonstrating the large financial commitment required for these projects.
• 😀 The mayor of Kielce views the 'renovate-to-rent' program as a win-win for the city and its residents, providing affordable housing while revitalizing neglected buildings.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Poland’s 'renovate-to-rent' housing program?

The program aims to address Poland’s housing shortage by offering neglected apartments at reduced rents in exchange for tenants renovating them.

Why is Aleksandra Skóra interested in renting the neglected apartment in Kielce?

She is excited about the opportunity to breathe new life into the old apartment and to rent it at half price through the program.

What kind of repairs are typically needed in the apartments offered through the program?

Most apartments require extensive renovation, including walls, floors, gas, water, and electrical installations—essentially almost everything.

Why does the city official Ewelina Jastrzębska believe tenants will succeed in the program?

She notes that applicants are motivated and numerous, and she believes anyone committed enough to take on the challenge will manage to renovate their unit successfully.

Why are renovated rental apartments considered rare in Poland?

Because nearly 90% of Poles own their homes, making rental properties less common than in many other European countries.

How did family size influence the selection of Ula Wrońska’s family in Kraków?

Officials consider the number of children when selecting tenants, so larger families like Ula’s have better chances of being chosen.

What challenges do Kraków residents face regarding the housing market?

Housing prices have risen around 30% in 2024, rents are very high, and many young people can no longer afford apartments.

Why do some applicants view the program as their ‘last chance’?

With private housing prices driven up by wealthy buyers purchasing multiple properties, many low- and middle-income residents feel they can’t secure affordable housing otherwise.

How much did Edyta Pawluszek invest in renovating her rental apartment, and how does she justify it?

She invested around 70,000 euros and accepts the cost because she waited 27 years for the apartment and pays significantly below-market rent.

Why does the mayor describe the program as a 'win-win' situation?

Tenants benefit from low rents and renovated homes, while the city benefits from improved housing stock without bearing the full cost of renovations.

What emotional connection does Anna Pająk have with her renovated apartment?

She views it as her dream home and is proud of designing it herself, though she initially faced a daunting situation that required strength and perseverance.

How might the Polish model serve as an example for other regions?

It demonstrates a practical solution to housing shortages: allowing tenants to renovate unused or abandoned units in exchange for affordable rent.