Do you need a council apartment?
Then you need a Wohn-Berechtigungs-Schein.
The short form is: WBS.
With a WBS you can get a council apartment.
Social housing is affordable housing.

You must apply for the WBS at a housing office.
The housing offices and the social welfare offices will help you.
The WBS contains information about:

• How much money are you allowed to earn?
• How big can the apartment be?

The WBS is valid for one year.
Some social housing is for certain people.

Are you a minor?
Then you need permission from your parents.
Or you need permission from your guardian.
In addition, your household income must not be too high.
Are you of legal age?
Then you do not need permission.

You are not an EU citizen?
Do you want to stay in Germany?
Then you need a residence permit.
The residence permit must be for at least one year.

You can apply for a Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS) from your local authority. In Lower Saxony, the districts, independent cities, large independent cities and independent municipalities are responsible for this. You can also obtain the necessary forms there.

The housing entitlement certificate contains information on the entitled persons, compliance with the relevant income limits and the maximum permissible living space.

The certificate of eligibility for housing entitles the holder to move into a subsidized apartment (social housing). There is no legal entitlement to the placement of a corresponding apartment.

The apartment you wish to move into may not exceed the maximum apartment size specified in the WBS.

Some social housing is reserved for a specific group of people. These may be, for example, students, senior citizens (minimum age 60), people with disabilities or large households (at least three children). If you belong to a special group of people, this will also be stated on the certificate of eligibility.

The housing entitlement certificate is usually valid for one year, i.e. you can move into a council apartment within this period. Once the period of validity has expired, you can apply for a new certificate of eligibility. The certificate of eligibility must be handed over to the landlord/landlady when the tenancy agreement is signed.