Illingen is looking for new ideas: what will become of the old rehabilitation clinic?

Illingen is looking for new ideas: what will become of the old rehabilitation clinic?

in Illingen, an important event took place on May 11, 2025 as part of the day of urban development. Citizens expressed their ideas for the use of the former rehabilitation clinic, which has been idle for years. Around 100 participants visited the building, which can look back on an almost 150-year tradition. During the tour, those present were confronted with the sad reality: unknown perpetrators kept having hit the empty rooms and caused extensive damage. This led to shocked reactions within the group.

After the tour, an impulse workshop took place in which the participants bundled their suggestions. Ideas for the creation of cheap living space for older people, as well as the possibility of accommodating commercial operations, office space, space for clubs and a medical center were particularly emphasized. These approaches reflect the current challenges with which many communities are confronted: the need for age -appropriate and affordable living space increases steadily.

challenges in the apartment sector

A study by the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research (BBSR) illustrates how important it is that the housing industry develops adequate strategies for the aging population. This study was carried out in cooperation with the Technical University of Berlin, Zimraum GmbH and the Swiss Real Estate Institute. It was found that many housing companies in Germany and Switzerland are not sufficiently dealing with the needs of older people.

The results show that, especially in high -demand apartment markets, it is often quickly rented out without responding to the special concerns of older tenants. In order to ensure sustainable age -appropriate living space, incentives are required that arise when older people in markets with low demand are an important target group. A central aspect to improve the situation is the interlinking of fields of action. This includes the sensitization of the tenants and a targeted marketing.

recommendations for housing supply

A crucial point of the study is the identification of eleven fields of action in which housing companies should work. One of the biggest challenges is the distribution of affordable apartments to older people with low incomes, especially in high -demand markets. In order to do justice to this need, targeted rental management is necessary, which is specifically based on this target group.

Cooperative approaches, such as round tables, can open potential scope for action. Service providers and cooperation partners could support with social offers in the district. However, data protection and the principle of discriminatory rental also represent significant obstacles when addressing the target group.

Overall, the current situation in Illingen and the results of the BBSR study shows that there is an urgent need for action. The suggestions and ideas that were compiled at the event in Illingen could be the first step in the right direction to finally take the needs of older people in the housing industry.

For further information on the living space situation of older people, we refer to the comprehensive study of the BBSR and current reporting in the Saarbrücker Zeitung .