You can apply for a housing eligibility certificate (WBS) at your local authority. You can also obtain the necessary forms there. Which authority is responsible for you depends on the regulations of the respective federal state. You can find out which forms and documents are required from the relevant administrative offices.

The housing eligibility certificate contains information on the eligible individuals, compliance with the relevant income limits, living space, and the number of rooms.

The housing eligibility certificate entitles you to move into a subsidized apartment (social housing). There is no legal entitlement to being assigned such an apartment.

The apartment you wish to move into must not exceed the maximum apartment size specified in the WBS. The number of rooms or the living space may be exceeded only in exceptional cases. The staff at the housing authorities will be happy to provide you with more detailed information on this as well.

Some social housing units are reserved for specific groups of people. These may include, for example, students, seniors (minimum age 60), people with disabilities, or large families (at least three children). If you belong to a specific group, this will also be indicated on the housing eligibility certificate.

The housing eligibility certificate is generally valid for one year, meaning you can move into social housing within this period. Once the certificate expires, you can apply for a new one. Furthermore, it can only be used once to move into social housing. When signing the lease, the housing eligibility certificate must be presented to the landlord.

• German or EU citizenship
• Other citizenship with a residence permit that is generally valid for at least one year
• Legal age (or consent of a parent or legal guardian)
• Households whose countable income does not exceed the income limit. Compliance with the income limit depends primarily on the number of people in the household and the total income of all household members. The calculation is generally based on the gross annual income of all persons living in the household for the previous calendar year. In addition, there are exemptions and deductions, for example, for persons with a recognized severe disability or a recognized care level.
• One of the requirements is that you are not merely staying in the Federal Republic of Germany temporarily, but that you have your center of life here or intend to establish it here. The center of life is the place where you settle permanently, of your own volition, either alone or with your family.

The Social Services Office of the state capital Mainz does not arrange housing.

The final decision on whether to enter into a tenancy agreement is made solely by the respective landlord (usually Wohnbau Mainz GmbH or other housing associations).

• Section 13 State Housing Promotion Act (opens in a new tab)

We will endeavor to process your application as quickly as possible, but in some cases there may be delays. If any required documents are missing, we will contact you.

Due to the large number of applications, we are unable to provide any information on the receipt or status of an application. 

For the issuance of general housing eligibility certificates: The local government of the independent municipality, municipal association, or city administration of the current or future place of residence.

For the issuance of special housing eligibility certificates: The local government of the independent municipality, municipal association, or city administration of the future place of residence.

• Identity card or passport (passport only in conjunction with a registration certificate)
• Marriage certificate
• Care allowance notice (copy)
• For severely disabled persons: severely disabled person's ID card (copy of both sides)
• Proof of need for home care
• Maternity log
• Proof from the tax office of increased income-related expenses
• Proof of custody
• Proof of right to determine place of residence
• Birth certificate
• Interest certificate
• Medical certificate
• Declaration of partnership

Depending on your life situation:

• For employed persons: earnings certificate (if applicable, proof of training allowance)
• For pensioners: pension statements with the latest change notifications
• For income tax payers (if proof is not provided by earnings certificates):
  income tax assessment, latest income surplus calculation/business evaluation
  
  
• other income
  (e.g., proof of marginal employment, unemployment benefits, sick pay)
  
  
• For persons receiving maintenance payments: proof of type, amount, and person liable for payment
  
  
• For expenses due to statutory maintenance obligations
  (possibly court order and details of the type, amount, and recipient of the benefit, proof of benefits through bank statements)
  
  
• For students: proof of educational assistance (e.g., BAföG)
  
  
• For students aged 16 and over: current school certificate
  
  
• For recipients of social benefits:
  • Notice of housing allowance
  • Notification of citizen's income
  • Notification of social security benefits
  • Notice of basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity
  • Notification of social assistance
  • Decision on asylum seeker benefits
  • Decision on child and youth welfare benefits
  • Decision on supplementary assistance for living expenses (BVG)
    
    
• Depending on the individual case, employees may request additional documents.