The Junges Wohnen (“Young Living”) programme funds the construction and modernisation of dorm places for students and trainees, and it is a federal-state programme. Who benefits is therefore two-fold: funding goes to projects, while residents benefit later. As an individual you do not file a funding application but apply for a dorm place. Dorm costs are explained in our guide to student dorm costs (in German).
Kurz beantwortet: Junges Wohnen is a federal-state programme funding dorm places for students and trainees. In Saxony-Anhalt, according to a press release of 6 June 2026, it covers up to 60 percent of eligible expenditure, at most 120,000 euros per housing unit. The figures given are an example from one state, other states may differ. The student services organisations call for the programme to be made permanent (last updated: November 2026).
Key points
- The programme funds construction, extension, new building and modernisation of dorm places for students and trainees.
- Applicants are projects registering with the competent state body, not individual students.
- In Saxony-Anhalt funding is up to 60 percent of eligible expenditure, at most 120,000 euros per housing unit (state example, as of 6 June 2026).
- According to the press release from Saxony-Anhalt, the programme there is financed from a special federal programme and state co-financing.
- Continuation is under discussion: the student services organisations call for it to be made permanent.
What is the federal-state programme Junges Wohnen?
Junges Wohnen is a funding programme meant to create and modernise dorm places for students and trainees. How it works in one state is shown by the press release of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt of 6 June 2026: the programme starts a new round there, and projects can be registered with the state investment bank (Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt) (press release 87/2026, in German). Funding covers construction, extension, new building and modernisation of dorm places.
Who can benefit and who can apply?
Two groups need to be distinguished. Funding applications concern the dorm projects, meaning construction and modernisation. These are projects registered with the competent body, in the Saxony-Anhalt example the investment bank. The press release does not specify who is entitled to apply. Ask the competent state body.
As a student or trainee you benefit indirectly: additional or modernised dorm places widen the supply, and you can apply for a place with the student services organisation (Studierendenwerk) or another operator. The programme does not create a legal right to a place.
| Group | Role in the programme (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Dorm projects and operators | Register projects with the competent state body and receive funding |
| Students | Can apply for places in funded dorms |
| Trainees | Also belong to the target group for dorm places according to the press release |
| States and federal government | Finance the programme jointly (federal funds and state co-financing) |
What does funding look like in Saxony-Anhalt?
The press release of 6 June 2026 gives concrete parameters for Saxony-Anhalt. It does not say whether other states apply the same rates, and implementation may differ by state.
| Feature | Saxony-Anhalt (as of 6 June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Funded items | Construction, extension, new building and modernisation of dorm places |
| Target group | Students and trainees |
| Funding rate | up to 60 percent of eligible expenditure |
| Maximum amount | 120,000 euros per housing unit |
| Funds | just over 10 million euros, of which about 7.8 million federal and just over 2.3 million state |
| Registration deadline of the round | 14 July 2026 |
Selection there runs through a panel of three ministries, which checks within two weeks of the deadline whether a project is in principle eligible. After a positive assessment a complete application must be filed with the investment bank within three months.
Will the programme continue?
The student services organisations call for the federal-state programme to be made permanent (press release of the Studierendenwerke, in German). That is a demand, not a decision. Term and funds beyond the current project period are not fixed according to the sources used here. Follow announcements by the state bodies and your student services organisation if you hope for a dorm place.
Are there other programmes for trainees besides Junges Wohnen?
According to the press release from Saxony-Anhalt, Junges Wohnen addresses students and trainees together. Which further programmes for trainee housing apply, you can ask the competent ministry or the development bank of your state.
How do you apply for a dorm place?
Applications go to the dorm operator, which in many university towns is the student services organisation. Deadlines, waiting lists and required documents differ by place and operator, so it pays to check the website of your university’s student services organisation. Apply as early as possible, before the semester starts, and keep other options open in parallel.
Funded projects can mean for you that a dorm is renovated and places are temporarily unavailable, or that new places are added. How this affects your city, you learn from the local operator. On costs and alternatives see Student Dorm or Shared Flat: Which Suits You Better? and How to Find a Shared Flat: Tips for a Successful Search.
What else should you consider when looking for housing?
A dorm place is only one of several options. Those who do not get a place usually look for a shared flat or their own flat in parallel. Rights and duties during the search are described in the guide housing search as a student (in German). Be careful with dubious offers, see recognising housing fraud (in German).
What roles do the federal government and the states play?
According to the press release from Saxony-Anhalt, about 7.8 million euros come from a special federal programme, and the state contributes just over 2.3 million euros of co-financing. The federal government thus provides funds, while the states implement the programme and top it up with their own money. Procedures, deadlines and funding conditions may therefore differ from state to state.
For you as a student this means: If you want to know whether funding is available in your university town, ask the student services organisation, the state ministry for science or the competent state bank.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply directly for Junges Wohnen as a student?
No, the programme funds projects, not individuals. You apply for a dorm place with the student services organisation or the dorm operator.
What rent do people pay in funded dorms?
The press release used here sets no rent levels. The operator states the costs, see student dorm costs (in German).
Does the programme apply in every federal state?
It is a federal-state programme. The figures given apply to Saxony-Anhalt. How it is implemented in other states, ask the competent state body.
Can I get housing benefit if I live in a dorm?
That depends on your situation, see Student Housing Benefit: Who Qualifies and How to Apply.
How to proceed
- Ask the student services organisation at your university town about dorm places and deadlines.
- Join waiting lists early, as waiting times are possible.
- Check whether a dorm in your city benefits from Junges Wohnen, for example through modernisation.
- Compare dorm and shared flat, see Student Dorm or Shared Flat: Which Suits You Better?.
- Plan alternatives in case no place becomes available.
Related guides
- Living while studying: rent, shared flats, dorms and housing benefit
- Student dorm costs: what rent and utilities include
- Student Dorm or Shared Flat: Which Suits You Better?
- Affordable student housing: strategy, portals and costs
- Student Housing Benefit: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Sources: Ministry of Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt, press release 87/2026 of 6 June 2026. Deutsches Studierendenwerk, press release on making Junges Wohnen permanent.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
