Onset of winter in Braunschweig: homeless people in acute distress!

Onset of winter in Braunschweig: homeless people in acute distress!

In Braunschweig the temperatures are falling and many residents are already wearing thick winter jackets. But while the city looks after its citizens in the cooler months, there are always heated discussions about the situation of the homeless in the city. Negative comments from citizens often reflect a feeling that government support for people in need is unevenly distributed, particularly when it comes to immigrants. The city is already showing its face and taking various measures to help homeless people. In particular, the “Igloo” daytime meeting point, which opens daily from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., plays a crucial role and offers support to all those who are in existential distress.

As news38.de reports, the homeless people in the “igloo” are provided with warm drinks and food by employees seven days a week. The social offer has become indispensable for many, especially since the number of homeless people in Braunschweig was around 461 people in 2024 and is expected to rise to 551 in 2025. This increase shows that it is becoming increasingly difficult for many people to find adequate accommodation, often due to health problems and a lack of offers in the care system.

Diverse offers in the “Igloo”

The “Igloo” day meeting is an initiative of the Diakonische Gesellschaft Wohnen und Beraten, which offers unbureaucratic help for people in difficult life situations. Offers range from a free breakfast to a freshly prepared daily lunch. In addition to these basic services, visitors can also do laundry and shower in the “Igloo”. These are important aspects that are often no longer available to people who are homeless. The facility is also involved in crisis intervention and supports referrals to other facilities or offices. This happens not least through the valuable support of donations in kind and money, which are used to cover the needs of visitors.
As wir-fuer-braunschweig.org reports, a volunteer doctor is also on site once a week to provide medical assistance.

The age structure of homeless people is diverse, ranging from young adults to those over 70 years old. Couples are often dependent on help, while families are less visible in the public eye. Rising rents and personal crises are also contributing to more and more people falling out of the system. According to statista.com, there were around 532,000 homeless people in Germany at the beginning of 2024, including around 47,300 who actually live on the streets. The continuously rising rents and the hardly available social housing are further aggravating the situation, because in 2023 the share of housing costs for all households amounted to over a quarter of disposable income.

Social commitment and challenges

The reactions in society to the situation of the homeless are diverse. While some people actively help or advocate for bans on begging in inner cities, the symptoms of poverty and homelessness continue to be present. The “Igloo” day meeting and other social initiatives face major challenges. The support options for associations like “Igloo” are necessary in order to continue to help people in need. The reasons for homelessness are complex and range from rent debt to health problems to violent experiences - a circumstance that needs to be understood and addressed.

Given these challenges, it is clear that support and sensitivity to the needs of homeless people in Braunschweig are essential to finding long-term solutions.