Housing shortage in Göttingen: Women are particularly at risk – politics is required!

Housing shortage in Göttingen: Women are particularly at risk – politics is required!

What's going on in Göttingen? The question of homelessness is increasingly preoccupying the city and its district. According to the official statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, around 1,350 people lived in Göttingen without their own rental agreement as of January 31, 2022, a number that has not decreased in recent years. Prof. Timo Weishaupt, who has a doctorate in sociology, is keeping a close eye on the situation and estimates that around 400 homeless people are in contact with the help system and have a postal address. Hidden homelessness and couch surfing contribute to the fact that the true number of those affected could be between 1,000 and 1,300. A frightening 1% of Göttingen's population is affected.

What are the offers of help in the city? Weishaupt shows that these are not sufficient – ​​especially for homeless women. An example of this is the Salvation Army, which recorded a total of 343 overnight stays for 49 women between March and November 2023. 61 women have asked for a residential place, but the women's shelter has to turn away up to 40 homeless women every year - a telling sign of the existing housing shortage in Göttingen.

The role of politics

Politicians in particular have come under criticism because they are not doing enough to provide affordable housing. As stated by economic geographer Dr. As Hans-Dieter von Frieling points out, by 2023 Göttingen will lack an impressive 2,100 affordable apartments. This has direct consequences for particularly affected groups such as single parents and older people who are dependent on smaller apartments. According to the UN social pact, every person has the right to housing, but this right is far too often denied in Göttingen.

Weishaupt also warns of possible consequences of changes to citizens' benefits, which could result in cuts in financial payments and accommodation costs. “This could lead to an increase in homelessness,” he said. It is clear that the city must do more to break this vicious circle.

Special challenges for women

Particular attention is paid to the female victims. Domestic violence is a common trigger for their homelessness, and women are often covertly homeless, living with acquaintances or relatives. This life situation is often accompanied by pressure to adapt and dependence. The offers of help must be tailored to better support these women. The special street work tour by women for women and a meeting point in the Bahnhofsmission are already a step in the right direction.

To improve the situation, the city plans to open a second location for women in the Salvation Army. However, that alone will not be enough. There are calls for minimum standards to be set for emergency accommodation in order to improve the conditions for homeless people and to make the assistance offers more attractive overall. Many criticize the current presentation of these offers on the city's website, which is perceived as uninviting.

The social responsibility

The problem of homelessness in Göttingen seems like an unsolved mystery. The women's working group in the social-psychiatric association of the city and district has already organized a specialist day under the motto “Security begins with your own four walls”. It is important to seek dialogue together and find solutions. The public is encouraged to take action, whether through speaking or volunteering, to help those who need it most.

What remains is the hope for a change in the political framework and a rethink in society. It's time for housing to not just be a luxury item, but to become a right for everyone. [Göttinger Tageblatt]. HNA impressively show us how urgently these changes are needed. With its 2024 report, the BBSR provides a pan-German overview of the situation of homeless people, which should make us all think.