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Rent madness in Leipzig: Protests against rising housing costs!
On October 11, 2025, squatters in Leipzig protested against rising rents. Focus on affordable housing and the location in the west.
Rent madness in Leipzig: Protests against rising housing costs!
Things are simmering in Leipzig – and not just in the figurative sense. Today, squatters in the Lindenau district made their voices heard with an impressive protest under the motto “Stop rental madness”. Your concern? To put the spotlight on the dramatic situation on the housing market in the city, which is one of the busiest in Germany. Rising rents and the displacement of long-established residents are issues that concern people. Loud MDR Around 70 people gathered in front of the occupied building on Lützner Strasse to demonstrate for affordable housing.
The protest, organized by the group “Autonomous Occupation Days in Leipzig (ABeTa)”, was broken up by the police after midnight because of trespassing. Three young people, including two 23-year-olds and a 29-year-old woman, were removed from the building while the mood at the rally remained peaceful. The organizers hope that their campaign will draw urgently needed attention to the precarious situation of many tenants.
The challenges on the Leipzig housing market
The situation in Leipzig is alarming: rents have risen continuously - from an average of 5 euros per square meter before 2010 to around 6.47 euros in 2021, as Statista reported. The growing need for living space is not being adequately met, although over 3,000 new apartments were already built in 2020. The sharp rise in prices is making it difficult, especially for people with lower incomes, to stay in the city.
In view of this challenge, housing cooperatives play an important role in Leipzig. They not only offer fair rents, but also the security of lifelong tenancies. At LVZ You can read that cooperatives also provide flexible floor plans and community offerings for different population groups. Whether seniors, families or singles and couples – everyone will find a suitable housing solution here.
Community living as a solution?
The cooperative models not only promote stable rental relationships, but also focus on ecological responsibility and social cohesion. For example, energy-efficient renovations and modern heating systems are used to improve the quality of living. The co-determination rights of the members and the support in social emergencies should be particularly emphasized. These benefits contribute to stability, even in difficult times.
Given the challenges in the housing market, it is essential that the city responds to the demands of the protesters and develops solutions together with the housing cooperatives. Today's protest in Lindenau is an urgent call to urgently rethink the framework conditions for affordable housing.