Seventeen mayors from the Copenhagen metropolitan area have formed a housing alliance with labor and tenant organizations. They propose ten concrete steps to make housing more affordable. The alliance includes three candidates for Copenhagen's mayor position.
Their main proposal would raise the required percentage of non-profit housing in new developments. Currently, municipalities can require up to 25% of new homes to be non-profit housing. The alliance wants this increased to 33%.
Non-profit housing in Denmark is operated by specialized organizations that cannot generate profits. Rents in these buildings are substantially lower than in private rental housing.
Albertslund Mayor Steen Christiansen explained the reasoning behind the proposal. "These non-profit homes have significantly lower rents than other rental apartments," he said. "That's why we need tools to build more of them."
The mayor doesn't believe the requirement will deter private developers long-term. "It might scare some away initially," Christiansen acknowledged. "But once it becomes reality, I expect the market will adapt."
Other proposals include raising construction cost limits for non-profit housing and creating a support model for cooperative housing. The alliance suggests providing one-time government subsidies for cooperative housing projects.
Christiansen recognizes this isn't the first time politicians have called for more affordable capital region housing. Still, he expects these proposals will gain traction in parliament. "We have 20 mayors and mayoral candidates united behind a common proposal," he noted. "I believe people will listen to that."
The coalition includes both sitting mayors facing reelection in November's municipal elections and candidates for Copenhagen's top political position. Most alliance members represent center-left parties, reflecting the political landscape in the capital region.
This coordinated push comes as housing costs continue straining Copenhagen residents. The proposals represent one of the most comprehensive attempts to address the affordability crisis through policy changes.
Will parliament act on these recommendations? The answer may depend on whether other municipalities join the call for reform.