Swiss Review / February 2022 / No.1 12 Society MIREI LLE GUGGENBÜHLER Pierre Biege sets off for work every morning in the canton of Valais, arriving in Berne two hours later. A very long commute by Swiss standards. But Biege, who runs a fashion label, is perfectly happy. “I use the time on the train to work,” he says. Biege lives in Albinen, a small village situated 1,300 metres above sea level on a sunny south-west-facing slope near the well-known spa resort of Leukerbad.With its closely packed, sun-faded buildings, this Alpine settlement amid the pastures of the Pfyn-Finges nature reserve is regarded as quite a gem and therefore enjoys protected status. Living in a tiny house Biege lives in a so-called tiny house on the edge of Albinen with his wife and two children. Comprising amere 27 square metres, this abode is the only custom-built, downsized living space in Albinen. Building a tiny house is not an easy thing to do in Switzerland, given thatmicro homes fall outside the normal statutory framework. Many municipalities have banned tiny houses, not least because of their visual impact. Albinen, on the other hand, gave the green light to Biege’s unusual house. After many years of living and working in different Swiss cities, Biege has consequently returned to the village of his childhood. “Our dream has become reality,” he says. Albinen proved amenable on account of its concerted efforts to attract families who are seeking to build or buy a new home. The village wants to stop the exodus of residents and bolster its population, which has been slowly falling since the 1940s – from 370 back then to the current figure of 250. Since 2018, Albinen has tried to attract new inhabitants by paying a housing grant to every individual moving into the village. Adults receive 25,000 Swiss francs each, provided themoney towards the cost of buying, building or renovating a property worth at least 200,000 francs. New residentsmust also remain inAlbinen for at least 10 years – otherwise they have to pay the money back. An initiative by the young – for the young This proactive approach to enticing families is down to the initiative of a group of young residents, whose efforts have clearly paid off. Since the scheme began in 2018, 19 grant applications have been submitted, accounting for a total of 38 adults and 11 children. The young incomers – individuals, couples and families – hail either from the canton of Valais or from other parts of Switzerland. Albinen has now approved cash payments totalling 880,000 francs, facilitating 6.6 million francs of investment in the process. “Around 70per cent of people in the canton of Valais live in their own home. Only 30 per cent rent flats or houses,” says the mayor of Albinen, The Alpine villages paying outsiders to move in Various Alpine municipalities in the canton of Valais are trying to combat depopulation. Two of these – Albinen and Zeneggen – are now offering cash incentives to attract families. they are aged under 45. They receive an additional 10,000 francs for every child they bring with them. That makes a grand total of 70,000 francs for a family of four, for example. This cash is contingent on recipients using Albinen allows alternative housing: the micro house of Pierre Biege and his family. Photo provided Beat Jost, president of Albinen municipality: “We received inquiries from all over the world.” Photo: Keystone
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