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Refugee home in Harvestehude: A final chapter full of controversy
In Hamburg-Harvestehude, the refugee accommodation closes after years of controversy affecting residents and migrants.
Refugee home in Harvestehude: A final chapter full of controversy
A lot is happening in Hamburg with regard to the accommodation of refugees. The refugee accommodation in Harvestehude in particular always causes a stir. This facility, which has sparked much debate since it opened about ten years ago, is now preparing to put a final stop to it. The six children from Afghanistan who watched furniture being taken out of the shelter in June are just one of many signs that something is about to change here. World reports that the ground floor of the accommodation is already empty as the last refugees moved out at the end of July. Many have been relocated to distant parts of the city, causing unrest among the affected families.
How did it all start? In 2015, when Olaf Scholz, the then governing mayor, supported the establishment of the home in this affluent district despite many objections, the mood was tense. Residents had concerns about safety and even feared a loss in the value of their properties. A compromise was finally reached in September 2015, allowing 190 refugees, mostly families, to find new homes.
A controversial location
Ten years after opening, the accommodation is now on the verge of closure. The city of Hamburg has invested a lot: around five million euros were spent in 2015 on the comprehensive renovation of the converted district military replacement office. But there was resistance from the neighborhood. Residents filed a lawsuit against the home in 2015, which led to a court settlement. The latest developments signal that the accommodation in the Sophienterrasse may now remain until further notice. NDR reports on discussions between the social authorities and residents to clarify the future of the site. Although the closure was originally planned for September 2024, there are currently no measures to implement it, highlighting residents' concerns that this situation will be difficult to manage.
174 people currently live in the accommodation, including many families with children. Carola Ensslen, the Left Party's refugee policy spokeswoman, urgently calls for clarity about the future of the location. Hamburg actually urgently needs space for refugees. The demand for accommodation has increased enormously, especially since the end of February 2022, when many people from Ukraine sought protection. Hamburg.de points out that the number of refugees who need accommodation exceeds the available capacities. So urgent action needs to be taken, while at the same time the costs of existing accommodation continue to rise.
A look into the future
The refugee accommodation in Harvestehude may soon be history, but the challenge remains. There are currently over 44,000 refugees living in public accommodation throughout Hamburg, including only one in a wealthy district. Container houses for 144 refugees are being built in Klein-Flottbek, which gives hope for more available places. Local advocates try to actively offer newcomers support to facilitate their integration into society.
The results of the refugee accommodation in Harvestehude show how complex and emotional the issues of migration and integration are in our city. It remains to be seen how the final outcome of the accommodation situation will develop, but one thing is certain: this discussion is far from over.