More homeless people in the face of rising rents
Some cities in Lower Saxony are seeing an increase in the number of homeless people. Rents are rising, more and more people are in need and have to leave their homes. Poverty is visible on the streets and in parks. In view of the dramatic housing situation, social organizations are calling on politicians in Lower Saxony to build many more social housing units.
In Osnabrück, for example, there are currently around 85 people living outdoors, compared to around 30 in 2018. "In view of the shortage of housing, the situation for homeless people has not improved," says a city spokeswoman. There has been a slight increase in recent years. The city is trying to end homelessness quickly or even prevent it. "Our focus is on preventative efforts to ensure that homelessness does not become entrenched," she adds.
In Bremen, there are officially more than 600 people living on the streets. "There is no real count," says press spokesman Bernd Schneider from the Hanseatic city's social services department. The people are on the move and are counted in the emergency shelters. In summer, 100 to 150 people look for a place to sleep on the streets of Bremen. Immigration from Eastern Europe is noticeable. Many have work in the warmer months, but in winter there is only the street. Housing First Bremen has been offering a few permanent apartments since November 2021.
The number of people housed in municipal accommodation by the state capital of Hanover has remained constant compared to 2022. Officially, 1115 people are without shelter this year.
In Braunschweig, the occupancy rate of facilities for homeless people is 81 percent. There are currently 200 people living in the city's shelters, compared to 188 in the previous year. 2023 will see a slight increase overall, the city announced. Here, too, the aim is to prevent homelessness in advance.
In Lüneburg, the number has risen from 54 people in 2017 to 96 this year. "Many people end up here when their employer has given them notice," says a city spokesperson. In most cases, their job comes with an apartment, which they lose when they are made redundant. The majority of those who are housed only stay in the shelter temporarily. "Affordable housing is like winning the lottery," says street worker André Pluskwa, who witnesses the plight of the homeless on a daily basis.
More people than before are falling through social safety nets, and some from middle-class families are also ending up on Lüneburg's streets. "The number is manageable, but they are there," says the 50-year-old. He often receives a tip from the police, who he considers to be very progressive. "It's important to be present and to know the people," emphasizes Pluskwa, who has been seeking conversations and offering help on the streets of the Hanseatic city since 2012. A good addition is his dog Aurica, who is well received by everyone. Since then, police interventions in the alcohol and drug scene have decreased.
Aid organizations in Lower Saxony are urging the government to implement robust housing policies to address the rising poverty and homelessness, especially in light of increasing rents. The social affairs department in Bremen acknowledges that there is an influx of homeless people, often from Eastern Europe, who struggle even more during winter months due to lack of permanent housing.
Source: www.dpa.com
