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Contest for Free Housing Attracts 1,700 Applicants in Eisenhüttenstadt

8/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Eisenhüttenstadt, a former East German city, initiated a contest for free housing to address depopulation, receiving over 1,700 applications.
Selected winners include a local IT consultant and a filmmaker focused on the city's history.
Despite challenges like population decline and increasing far-right party support, the program has enhanced the city's attractiveness to new residents.

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Story summary

Eisenhüttenstadt, a former East German city, initiated a contest for free housing to address depopulation, receiving over 1,700 applications.
Selected winners include a local IT consultant and a filmmaker focused on the city's history.
Despite challenges like population decline and increasing far-right party support, the program has enhanced the city's attractiveness to new residents.