The Shared Flat Project was initiated five years ago, among other objectives, to address housing affordability concerns. However, the LIFE Association now seeks additional support from governmental and municipal entities.

The LIFE Association, responsible for the Shared Flat Project, is urging ministers and municipalities to bolster their efforts with increased support. A recent press conference shed light on the pressing need for additional resources to meet the high demand and expanding scope of the project.

The project was launched five years ago. Initially, the project's core focus was on managing shared flats for social rental purposes. The association rents houses in order to sublet them to, currently, around 300 tenants, with two-thirds comprising individuals granted international protection in Luxembourg.

Gary Diderich, representing LIFE, voiced concerns over the strain faced by the association's limited workforce. With only two full-time employees among the ten-person team, managing the shared flats has become increasingly challenging.

In recent years, the association has increasingly focused on renting out affordable housing units and houses that it purchased and, ideally, renovated itself.

While three houses are already inhabited by individuals and shared flat communities, two more houses are ready for occupancy, with an additional 17 undergoing preparation.

Due to the current situation on the housing market, many owners would propose their property to the non-profit, "quite often to get out of their interim loans," according to Diderich.

Despite the initiative's momentum, obstacles persist, notably in securing financial backing from banks, despite the fact that the project is supported by the Ministry of Housing. When an affordable rent project is approved, the state will cover 75% of the purchase price under a new law.

In light of these challenges, the LIFE Association has emphasised the urgency of collaborative efforts, urging ministries, municipalities, banks, and private individuals to rally behind their cause. With the requisite resources, the Shared Flat Project holds the potential to alleviate housing strain for many individuals, Diderich noted. However, without increased support, the project's ability to deliver on its objectives may be hindered.