Certificate of eligibility for subsidized housing

Eligibility Certificate for Social Housing (Wohnberechtigungsschein)

The Eligibility Certificate for Social Housing, abbreviated as WBS, is an official document that allows a tenant to prove that they are entitled to rent a publicly subsidized apartment.

Certain criteria must be met to obtain an Eligibility Certificate. For instance, certain income limits must not be exceeded. The specific criteria vary depending on the federal state.

During the duration of their rental agreement, tenants remain eligible to use the apartment, even if their personal and financial circumstances change. The WBS specifies an appropriate apartment size, which is generally determined by the number of people in the household. Under certain conditions, the appropriate apartment size can be increased by an additional room (e.g., for wheelchair users, single parents with children aged 6 or older).

You can apply for an Eligibility Certificate for Social Housing directly with the Oberbergischer Kreis or submit your application to the respective city or municipal administration of your place of residence.

The cities of Gummersbach, Radevormwald, Wiehl, and Wipperfürth also issue eligibility certificates for their respective city or municipal areas.
 

Income Limits in NRW (Net)

The allocation of funding is bound to the income limits defined in § 13 of the Act for the Promotion and Use of Housing (WFNG), as determined by §§ 13 to 15 WFNG. The income limit depends on the number of household members. The decisive factor is the total net income of all persons in the household.

For two-person households, married couples, or life partners, as well as severely disabled and/or care-dependent individuals, and in cases of statutory maintenance obligations, there are certain deductions that allow for higher income limits. 

Appropriate Apartment Size

1-person household 50 sqm
2-person household 65 sqm or 2 rooms
3-person household 80 sqm or 3 rooms
4-person household 95 sqm or 4 rooms
5-person household 110 sqm or 5 rooms

What documents should I bring?

An application for an Eligibility Certificate for Social Housing (general or targeted), as well as income declarations for all household members with their own income and the associated proofs (pay slips, pension statements, notices of unemployment benefits, child support, or similar).

• Application for the issuance of a general/targeted Eligibility Certificate under the Act for the Promotion and Use of Housing for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (WFNG NRW)

• Income declaration for social housing

• Consent form from the future landlord (for targeted WOB applications)

• Documents as per list of required documents

Fees: A fee of €10.00 applies.

Eligibility Certificate for Income Group B and the Second Funding Path (Occupancy Permit)

The same documents are required as for the targeted Eligibility Certificate for Social Housing.

For properties in Income Group B, the income limit may exceed up to 40%.

Fees: A fee of €15.00 applies.