Bitter cold in Braunschweig: This is how the city helps homeless people in need!

Bitter cold in Braunschweig: This is how the city helps homeless people in need!

A severe drop in temperature is currently causing problems for people in Braunschweig. After last week's spring-like conditions, which brought pleasantly mild temperatures of over 20 degrees, city residents now have to contend with bitterly cold conditions. This cold also poses a particular challenge for the approximately 242 homeless people in Braunschweig who need to be protected from the winter cold. As news38.de reports, the city is well positioned for this.

Around 184 municipal facilities are currently in use to offer these people a temporary place to stay. These accommodations are tailored to different groups – be it men, women, couples or families. The accommodation's furnishings range from beds and mattresses to lockers to tables, chairs and refrigerators. However, the sanitary facilities and kitchens must be shared. Around 77 percent of these places are currently occupied, which indicates that capacities are being heavily used.

Support offers in the city

The city of Braunschweig has committed itself to a clear goal: no one should be left without an emergency place to sleep. Anyone who needs help can seek help during the day in the Housing and Seniors Department at Naumburgstrasse 25. There is also a citizens' telephone number available for information: 470-1. A central accommodation for men on the street “An der Horst” is open around the clock; the corresponding telephone number is 86 21 24. Women and couples who seek help outside of regular working hours are accommodated at the Mitte police station.

The city also offers anonymous advice via email at wohnungslos@braunschweig.de. The city administration also offers measures to prevent homelessness, including counseling sessions, negotiations with landlords and financial assistance. The Central Office for Housing Assistance (ZSW) is actively looking for landlords who could offer trial accommodation.

What is the situation in Germany?

According to statista.de, the challenges are not just local: at the beginning of 2024, around 532,000 people in Germany lived in precarious housing conditions, including around 47,300 homeless people. These figures illustrate the urgency of the problem and an alarming trend: rents are rising continuously, especially in large cities, and housing costs now account for over a quarter of households' disposable income.

But most people who live in emergency shelters often experience violence or have mental and health challenges, and many even have addiction problems. This is a circumstance that strongly influences both the offers of help and social perception. Reactions to the homeless people vary between helpfulness and the desire to enforce bans on begging in the inner cities.

Local initiative and volunteer work

A ray of hope in this situation are the numerous voluntary initiatives that show solidarity. The Bahnhofsmission distributes hot drinks, the Malteser provides support with warm soups and the HiOb initiative ensures that warm meals reach those in need. The “Igloo” daytime meeting place on Wilhelmstrasse also opens its doors to people in need, offering food, drinks, shower facilities and even laundry service – even on weekends. A detailed overview of the help offers with contact details and opening times can be obtained from the city of Braunschweig.

At a time when temperatures are falling, the importance of sticking together as a community and helping those who are most in need is once again highlighted. Further information about offers of help can be found on the website of obdachlosenwegweiser.org.