Bratislava completes new city-owned rental apartment building in Petržalka

Bratislava has completed construction on a new city-owned apartment building in Muchovo Square, Petržalka, which includes 103 rental and replacement units. This marks the first time in 15 years that the capital has directly developed a new rental housing project. The building is part of the city’s broader strategy to address the shortage of affordable rental housing, and the first tenants are expected to move in starting in May.

The city continues to face a long-standing deficit in housing availability, particularly in the rental sector. Currently, the municipality manages about 870 rental units, with another 1,000 under the administration of city districts—numbers that fall short of the growing need. Since September last year, more than 1,000 applications for city rental apartments have been submitted. As of now, 228 applicants are waiting to be allocated a standard rental apartment, while about 450 are waiting for replacement housing. The average waiting time is around seven years, highlighting the urgent demand for new rental options.

Mayor Matúš Vallo emphasized that improving housing availability has been a key focus of his administration. Efforts include renovating neglected city-owned apartments, constructing new rental buildings, and launching a municipal rental agency to assist residents in finding stable, affordable housing. Bratislava also secured agreements with developers that allow the city to acquire a share of newly built apartments—5% in exchange for zoning plan adjustments—expanding its housing stock without direct investment in every project.

Construction of the new building in Petržalka began in August 2023. It was co-financed by the Slovak Ministry of Transport through a non-refundable subsidy, supplemented by a loan from the State Housing Development Fund and funds from the city’s own budget. The building also features park space and civic amenities to improve the surrounding area.

Vice-Mayor Lenka Antalová Plavuchová, who oversees housing development, described the project as a significant milestone in Bratislava’s approach to rental housing. She said it not only offers functional living space but also enhances the urban environment and marks the beginning of a more systematic, long-term effort to expand the city’s rental housing supply.

The apartments will be allocated to residents who face challenges in the housing market, including those in urgent need of accommodation and people working in public service sectors such as healthcare, education, social services, and law enforcement. New allocation criteria adopted last year aim to ensure transparency and fairness in distributing available units to those most in need.

Transport Minister Jozef Ráž also praised the initiative, noting the high demand for affordable rentals in Bratislava and expressing support for continued development in this area. He acknowledged that market-rate rentals remain out of reach for many, making public housing projects like this one essential.

The city’s rental housing efforts will not stop with this building. A second phase of the project, planned for the same area, will add approximately 50 more apartments. Additionally, new developments are being prepared in other districts, including Ružinov and Vrakuňa, with more projects expected in the coming years to further expand Bratislava’s municipal housing stock.

Source and Photo: Bratislava City