June 1, 2024, 2pm, Potsdamer Platz

Demonstration against rent madness, displacement and the housing shortage

The rent is too high!

Rents, operating costs and heating costs are exploding, wages are stagnating. People are being forced out of their homes every day: Rental apartments are being converted into private property, rental contracts are being cancelled due to „personal need“ (Eigenbedarfskündigung). Homelessness is increasing massively. Entire neighborhoods are being destroyed, index-linked rental contracts are becoming a cost trap. Social institutions and tradespeople are unable to find affordable spaces. Second homes and vacation apartments are turning entire neighborhoods into lifeless areas.
At the same time, we are experiencing a total failure of politics: the federal government is delaying improved tenant protection, a new residential community benefit (Wohngemeinnützigkeit) and the new regulation of the right of first refusal (Vorkaufsrecht). Meanwhile, the Berlin senate is abolishing the social obligations of state housing companies and blocking the expropriation of real estate companies.

Let’s resist!
The rent crisis is not a law of nature. Together we can change the situation if we organize ourselves. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a new Berliner, a single parent, a young family or a retiree, a worker, a precarious employee, an apprentice or a student: It affects us all — and we are only strong together.
On Saturday, June 1, we want to show our protest together on the streets. Shortly before the European elections, we want to make it clear that socially conscious politics is the best way to counter the shift to the right. And we want to send a strong signal ahead of the „Tag der Immobilienwirtschaft“ (the real estate industry’s biggest lobbying event, which will take place on June 11, 2024 in Tempodrom):

•  For a radical turnaround in housing policy that must put tenants at the center and NOT the interests of owners and speculators. Against profits with our rent.
• For affordable housing for all and a nationwide rent cap.
• For the socialization of housing and the implementation of the referendum „Expropriate Deutsche Wohnen & Co“.
• Against index-linked rental agreements, terminations for personal need (Eigenbedarfskündigung) and the misuse of housing.
• Against land speculation in urban and rural areas.
• Against racist discrimination on the housing market. For solidarity with one another. For unbureaucratic registrations (Anmeldung) for all.
• For renovation instead of demolition. For a socially conscious heating transition that does not come at the expense of tenants.
• For an end to homelessness. Against forced evictions.
• For affordable spaces for small businesses and social institutions. For spaces for culture and creativity in our city.

Let’s take to the streets from all neighborhoods and districts on June 1 and show that we are strong and diverse.
Housing is not a commodity – it’s a human right.