© Nicolas Sottiau
Luxembourg's Left Party (Déi Lénk) organised a protest on the Rue du Nord in Esch/Alzette on Saturday, urging the government and municipalities to take action on the housing shortage.
Six houses of the old Gendarmerie in rue du Nord in Esch/Alzette have been vacant for over ten years, with state-owned Bâtiments Publics failing to act. In response, déi Lénk Esch initiated a motion, leading to a breakthrough on 31 January 2025 when all parties backed a proposal by Marc Baum, a local council member. The motion urges the government to swiftly develop a plan to mobilise housing in the area.
Déi Lénk is now calling for the systematic seizure and renovation of vacant properties by both the government and municipalities, aiming to create affordable housing quickly. The party stresses that not repurposing these buildings would waste valuable financial, social, ecological, and economic resources.
Marc Baum emphasised, "There are six houses, which have been empty for years, even decades. They belong to the state. These vacancies are the result of government action. Yesterday [Friday, 31 January], during the local council in Esch, the mayoral council unanimously approved a motion to intervene and push for change."
While welcoming cross-party support, déi Lénk Esch insists that the housing crisis is far from resolved. The party urges swift action to convert the vacant buildings into affordable housing and calls for a systematic tracking of empty properties to prioritise necessary repairs. The goal must be clear: ensure access to affordable housing for all.
