Number of homeless women in Hamburg explodes – Kemenate under pressure!

Number of homeless women in Hamburg explodes – Kemenate under pressure!

In Hamburg, the issue of homelessness is becoming more and more pressing, and the number of homeless women in particular is increasing. Loud NDR There are currently more than 3,800 people living on the streets, the majority of whom are men. The Kemenate, a day center for women, plays a crucial role in this: it has been the only meeting place in the city exclusively for women for over 30 years and offers space for 35 people five days a week. But often there are more people who pay a visit to the facility.

Usage has increased significantly in recent years. In August 2025, an average of 47 women were counted per day, while in September a peak of 72 visitors in one day was reached. A decade ago the number was half as high. This illustrates how necessary such facilities are, as around 20 percent of homeless people in Hamburg are now female. These women often have to flee their homes due to violence, a topic that comes up again and again in the discussions in the bower.

Support offers for homeless women

But what support is offered to women in the bower? In addition to a safe space, a variety of services are also provided here, ranging from hot meals to showers and social advice. This year, the Kemenate has already placed nine women in their own apartments and is offering free support for the first 12 months after admission to make the transition to an independent life easier.

According to Social Senator Schlotzhauer, efforts to combat homelessness in Hamburg are underway. An emergency winter program will begin from November 1, 2025, providing 21 additional places in containers for women. In addition, from mid-September 2025, 30 places will be available in a new building on Repsoldstrasse, very close to the main train station. This makes it easier to access offers of help for those affected.

The overall development of homelessness in Germany

Viewed in a larger context, the issue of homelessness is not only reflected in Hamburg. Loud Statista There are a total of around 532,000 homeless people in Germany, of which around 47,300 are homeless. A main factor for homelessness is rising rent prices, which have been rising continuously in many cities for years and increasing the financial burden for many households. What is shocking is that the proportion of social housing was almost halved between 2006 and 2023.

The support systems in Hamburg show how important it is to create access to help and resources. Day care centers such as the Kemenate provide survival assistance and social support for those affected and are an important part of the social support system in the city. Here people not only receive the urgently needed basic needs, but also hope for a better future.

In summary, developments surrounding the issues of homelessness and support systems are more in focus than ever. Increasing the number of places and offering a variety of services in day care centers can help the women and men affected find a ray of hope in their often dark situation.

For further information about the offers, the websites of the respective institutions are available and the brochure “The social support system for homeless people” offers a comprehensive overview of the topics addressed. Kemenate, along with numerous other daytime meeting points, shows above all how important direct support is for groups in need of help.