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Potsdam launches AI assistance Wohni”: process housing benefit applications faster!
Potsdam will be introducing the AI housing benefit assistant “Wohni” from October 2025 to reduce processing times by 37%.
Potsdam launches AI assistance Wohni”: process housing benefit applications faster!
An exciting chapter in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for public administration was opened in Potsdam today. The housing benefit assistant “Wohni” has made the leap into regular operation after a successful test phase. This innovative solution is intended to enable a drastic reduction in processing time for housing benefit applications by up to 37 percent. This means that many overburdened housing benefit offices can be relieved on behalf of the entire industry. A step that is making waves not only in Potsdam, but far beyond the city limits. Kommune 21 reports that ...
The need for such smart solutions has increased significantly in recent years, especially since the Housing Benefit Plus reform in 2023. This reform has expanded the circle of households entitled to housing benefit nationwide by around 1.4 million additional people entitled to it. Quite an increase that poses immense challenges for housing benefit institutions, particularly in terms of processing times, which can often take up to a year. AKDB explains that...
The role of AI in administration
The introduction of “Wohni” is not only due to increased demand, but also to the shortage of skilled workers, which affects many housing benefit offices. Long waiting times lead to complaints and often inaction, which tie up additional resources. With the help of AI, application processors can be relieved by recognizing patterns and automatically reading and categorizing applications and evidence. The hit rate of almost 95 percent when detecting errors in the applications is impressive. This leaves the clerks more time for complex tasks. NEGZ highlights that...
In the pilot project in Potsdam, the use of “Wohni” saved around 20 minutes of working time per application, which corresponds to an average reduction of 21 percent in processing time. The growing number of applications, particularly from families, pensioners and low-income households, can thus be better managed. In order not to get into a processing backlog, Potsdam aims to identify and implement further AI use cases in administration in the first half of 2025.
A look into the future
The adoption of “Wohni” into regular operations is part of the state capital’s comprehensive AI strategy. The aim is to ensure responsible and employee-oriented use of AI. The findings from Potsdam could also be a model for other municipalities that are looking for innovative solutions in view of the increasing volume of applications. This type of digitalization could serve as a springboard to not only increase efficiency, but also maintain proximity to citizens by making processes more transparent and comprehensible.
One thing is certain: the integration of AI into social administrations is not a passing trend, but a necessity in order to meet the challenges of the time. In this sense, the state will continue to have a crucial role to play in fostering and developing AI technologies. This change is already in full swing and could soon spread to other cities too.