Freiburg faces critical shortage of accessible housing for elderly residents

Accessible Housing Remains in Short Supply—Freiburg Faces Tight Market

A new analysis reveals that suitable accessible housing in Germany is still severely lacking, and the situation in Freiburg is particularly strained. On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, updated figures on the German housing market were released, painting a stark picture.

According to the data, just 10.3 percent of available housing in Freiburg meets accessibility standards—below the national average of 11.7 percent. In a ranking of Germany's 100 largest cities, Freiburg lands only in the middle tier. The senior care service Eli die Fee, which conducted the evaluation, warns that finding appropriate housing for people with disabilities or mobility limitations remains an especially daunting challenge.

A striking disparity emerges between rental and purchase properties. While only 4.7 percent of rental apartments are accessible, that figure rises to 17.2 percent for homes on the sales market. The analysis indicates this pattern holds true across many German cities, suggesting that accessibility often hinges on financial means.

Nationwide, the federal government estimates a shortage of around 2.5 million accessible homes—a gap that continues to widen. The primary driver is Germany's aging population and the growing demand for suitably equipped housing.

Experts from the investigating firm caution that the lack of accessible housing not only restricts daily life for affected individuals but may also force people to leave their long-time homes. Meanwhile, the strain on the care system continues to mount.