German pede here. The story appears to be correct, but the original article is behind a paywall, so I can't verify everything. I know this area very well. My grandparents lived nearby for a long time.
The guy rented a big flat for not a lot of money (149 square meters, 500€ (about 600$); rents for similar flats there are 3 times as much) from the local municipality. They exploited a law which says that owners can cancel the lease agreement with 9 months grace period if the flat is to be used by the owner or relatives. They most likely had bad legal advice and no funds to fight this. A lot of politicians in that area proposed laws to expropriate owners of flats and houses if they are empty to house refugees. The same politicians are surprised about the rise of a prominent right-wing party.
You mean that house that just burned down?
Cuomo and AOC’s lan in action
German pede here. The story appears to be correct, but the original article is behind a paywall, so I can't verify everything. I know this area very well. My grandparents lived nearby for a long time. The guy rented a big flat for not a lot of money (149 square meters, 500€ (about 600$); rents for similar flats there are 3 times as much) from the local municipality. They exploited a law which says that owners can cancel the lease agreement with 9 months grace period if the flat is to be used by the owner or relatives. They most likely had bad legal advice and no funds to fight this. A lot of politicians in that area proposed laws to expropriate owners of flats and houses if they are empty to house refugees. The same politicians are surprised about the rise of a prominent right-wing party.
Wow! Thanks for response, German pede. Europe does seem to be messed up right now.