58 Affordable Housing Units to Be Built in Michelau, Stolzembourg

Luxembourg’s Ministry of Housing, the Cécile Ginter Foundation and Caritas Luxembourg have announced they are entering into a collaboration to develop two affordable housing projects in Michelau and Stolzembourg, aiming to allow vulnerable families and individuals access to housing while ensuring appropriate social support.

On Wednesday 27 September 2023, Luxembourg’s Minister for Housing, Henri Kox, alongside François Jacobs of the Cécile Ginter Foundation, Marcel Oberweis, Vice-President of the Cécile Ginter Foundation, Marie-Josée Jacobs, President of Caritas Luxembourg, and Pit Bouché, President of Caritas Accueil et Solidarité, joined forces to sign two collaboration agreements.

These agreements pertain to the development of housing projects in "Am Wangert" in Michelau and "Muehlenpesch" in Stolzembourg. In both instances, the State-owned land will be available for a minimum lease of 50 years, with the Ministry of Housing's "Stone Aid" programme providing substantial support, covering 75% of rehabilitation and construction costs. Caritas Luxembourg will serve as a specialised social landlord, with the aim of offering inclusive and reintegrative prospects to individuals.

The "Am Wangert" project in Michelau is geared towards creating a stable living environment for vulnerable individuals, often with a history of homelessness, to help them regain stability. The effort involves rebuilding existing homes to provide affordable housing, facilitating long-term, secure and cost-effective accommodation. The primary goal is to empower individuals to stabilise their living situation and support them on their journey towards independent living, aided by the educational and social teams of Caritas Luxembourg. Additionally, the project emphasises environmental considerations, focusing on modern energy concepts and a circular economy approach in construction and building management, featuring around 40 housing units.

In Stolzembourg, the "Muehlenpesch" project centres on constructing a housing complex for affordable rentals targeted at individuals and families in need, alongside community housing units, and hostels for unaccompanied minors and young adults. The initiative aims to provide stable, healthy, and tranquil living environments for families and offer independent housing experiences for young people aged eighteen to 26. Furthermore, unaccompanied minors can complete their schooling and continue to reside on-site as necessary. The project involves the integration of existing buildings to create spaces for various activities that foster community life and social connections with the village's inhabitants. The educational and social teams of Caritas Luxembourg will oversee the project's implementation.

“I am delighted with this innovative partnership between the State and social actors, which allows vulnerable people to have access to an affordable home. A roof over your head ensures stability, security and dignity! This is the starting point for any effort at inclusion and reintegration for people who are victims of life accidents, vulnerable and marginalised. This is ultimately the central objective of our national strategy for affordable housing and the right to housing,” noted Minister Kox, during the signing of the collaboration agreements.

“The Cécile Ginter Foundation received from its benefactor, Madame Cécile Ginter, the mission of combating poverty. In Luxembourg, it is the lack of affordable housing that prevents many people and families from living with dignity. This is why the Cécile Ginter Foundation has focused for several years on the construction of affordable rental housing and is delighted today with the launch of these two new projects,” emphasised François Jacobs, the foundation’s president.

“The two projects that we have just launched will be, for many people who are currently in our emergency accommodation structures and who find it difficult to escape the emergency due to a lack of affordable housing, a springboard towards an independent life,” rejoiced Caritas Luxembourg’s president, Marie-Josée Jacobs.