Germany’s federal government has unveiled its so-called “Bau-Turbo” initiative to accelerate housing construction, but two leading timber industry associations have expressed skepticism about its effectiveness. The German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH) welcomed the law as a positive impulse but stressed that it alone cannot resolve the housing shortage or pull the construction sector out of its current difficulties. DeSH highlighted the need for reliable funding for building subsidies and streamlined building regulations, particularly to support serial construction and renovation. Julia Möbus, DeSH’s managing director, emphasized that municipalities must actively use the new ...