Special Program Boosts Energy Efficiency in Non-Profit Housing

The federal government's special program to promote energy efficiency in non-profit housing shows positive results. Between 2021 and 2025, the Federal Office of Housing (BWO) approved 71 loans totaling 119 million Swiss francs. These funds supported the renovation of 2,413 apartments. The triggered investments by developers amounted to 533 million Swiss francs – 4.5 times the loan funds deployed.

Goal: Accelerated Renovation with Affordable Rents

The Fonds de Roulement (FDR) is a federal instrument designed to promote non-profit housing construction. It grants loans to non-profit developers for new construction, acquisition, and renovation. The 2021–2025 special program aimed to accelerate energy-efficient renovations. "The program's objective was to speed up the energy-related renewal of non-profit housing stock while preserving affordable living space," writes the BWO. To achieve this, FDR loans were interest-free for the first ten years.

Significant Progress in Energy Efficiency

The evaluation of GEAK-Plus reports shows: The analyzed buildings, with an energy reference area of 180,000 square meters, largely meet new construction standards after renovation. 95 percent comply with the requirements for overall energy efficiency. Heating energy consumption decreased by an average of 75 percent. This saves approximately 2,650 tons of CO2 annually. Additionally, new photovoltaic systems on the roofs produce about 1,500 megawatt-hours of electricity per year.

Between 2021 and 2025, the special program accounted for about one-third of all approved FDR loans. For renovation projects, three-quarters were supported through this special program. On average, 220,000 Swiss francs were invested per apartment.