13% of the people living in Germany considered monthly housing costs a heavy economic burden in 2018. Among the population at risk of poverty, this applied to just 24%. Compared with 2008, the perceived burden reduces (2008 total: 24%; at risk of poverty: 36%).
The proportion of disposable net household income that had to be spent on housing costs amounted to an average of 26% in 2018 and to as much as 49% for people at risk of poverty. Most seriously affected were people at risk of poverty who were living alone (57%), persons at risk of poverty in households of two adults (45%) and people at risk of poverty living in lone-parent households (50%).
Of the population at risk of poverty, 7% reported that they were in arrears on utility bills (total population: 3%), and 4% were in arrears on mortgage or rent payments (total population: 2%).
In many cases, the dwelling or building occupied by the respondents suffered damage due to damp. In 2018, one in five people (20%) of the population at risk of poverty stated that the roof was leaking, that the walls, floors or foundation were damp or that there was rot in window frames or the floor. Such defects or deficiencies were reported was almost 13% of the total population.
Additional burden due to housing conditions related to the residential area: 28% suffered from noise in 2018. Among the people at risk of poverty, this was every third peopel (34%). The housing quality of many people in Germany was also affected by crime, vandalism and environmental pollution in the residential area.
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