District seeks barrier-free living space
Waldeck-Frankenberg lacks over 13,000 barrier-free flats. This is according to surveys by the Federal Statistical Office and the Social Housing Monitor 2026 as well as data from the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg. To mark the European Day of Protest for Equality for People with Disabilities on 5 May, the district is therefore once again drawing attention to the need to register barrier-free housing. The district has launched a digital housing exchange specifically for this purpose in order to match requests and offers.
Demand for barrier-free housing is on the rise
Waldeck-Frankenberg is not alone with this problem: there is a shortage of around two million homes in Germany and around 80,000 in Hesse. However, the demand for barrier-free living space continues to rise. In addition, barrier-free flats are often significantly more expensive on the market. This is a development that the Specialist Service for Women and Equal Opportunities would like to counteract with the digital housing exchange.
Barrier-free living is not a luxury
All requests and offers from Waldeck-Frankenberg can therefore be submitted and collected online. The specialised service evaluates the feedback - and brings the offers and requests into contact with each other. "We would like to take the European Day of Protest for the Equality of People with Disabilities as an opportunity to once again draw attention to our online service. We are calling on people who can offer accessible housing to get in touch with us," says Alexandra Köck, the district's local disability officer. "Barrier-free living is not a luxury, but a justified right and a prerequisite for a good quality of life, independence and social participation."
Living independently in familiar surroundings
Careful design - such as step-free entrances, wide doors, level-access showers, threshold-free transitions, sufficient space for wheelchairs, easily accessible and easy-to-use controls and high-contrast, well-lit interiors - significantly reduces daily hurdles. This particularly affects people with physical, sensory or cognitive impairments, senior citizens, people with temporary impairments following accidents or operations and families with pushchairs. Barrier-free living spaces allow those affected to live independently in their familiar surroundings.
Accessibility is a building block for inclusive coexistence
In addition to the digital housing exchange, the district also offers accessibility advice on housing and construction. This involves building, remodelling or designing living space in such a way that it is as free of barriers as possible. "Barrier-free living spaces mean more independence, safety, quality of life and social participation and are an expression of social justice," emphasises Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor of the district. "Investments in accessibility are investments in a sustainable society that benefits everyone. After all, accessibility is an important building block for inclusive coexistence."