The abandoned three-story buildings in Berlin’s Karlshorst district, known as the “Russian houses,” have turned into a haunting symbol of neglect and a glaring reminder of the city’s housing shortage. The buildings, once home to Soviet and Russian officers, have been left empty since Russia withdrew its troops from Germany in 1994.
Locals often witness an elderly Russian-speaking couple sweeping leaves and garbage from the fenced-off grounds, while the buildings themselves remain dilapidated with rotten window frames. The residents of Karlshorst have grown increasingly frustrated and have urged the Berlin authorities to take action. The escalating housing crisis in the city has only amplified the need for a solution.
Berliners believe that Russia, as the owner of these buildings, should be held accountable and compelled to take positive action. Suggestions have been made to either demolish, rebuild, or renovate the structures, which have become an eyesore in the neighborhood.
Against the backdrop of the ongoing controversy surrounding frozen Russian assets as a response to the conflict in Ukraine, Lilia Usik, a representative in Berlin’s state parliament of Ukrainian descent, has proposed a new course of action. Her proposal intends to address both the neglect of the “Russian houses” and the pressing housing shortage in Berlin.
Usik’s suggestion has sparked renewed discussions about the responsibility of foreign governments towards maintaining their properties and contributing to the welfare of local communities. It also raises questions about finding innovative solutions to tackle the housing crisis in Berlin and ensuring that neglected buildings can be transformed into affordable housing options for the city’s residents.
The decaying “Russian houses” serve as a stark reminder of the need for greater cooperation between governments and local authorities to address neglected properties and alleviate housing shortages in urban areas.