Reimbursement of costs for refugee accommodation demanded
Following the agreement between the federal and state governments on the future financing of refugee costs, Hesse's municipalities need to talk to the state government. The resolutions passed on Tuesday night did not directly provide any financial relief, explained David Rauber, Managing Director of the Hessian Association of Towns and Municipalities, in Mühlheim am Main on request. "For the time being, the federal and state governments have settled the distribution of the burden among themselves," he explained. "It is therefore now our task to talk to the state and continue to ensure comprehensive reimbursement of costs for refugee accommodation."
The lump sums per refugee in Hesse were last set in 2020 and increased by 1.5 percent annually. "The price increase in recent years makes greater dynamization necessary," demanded Rauber. "In addition, due to the high influx, it is no longer possible to rent existing apartments for accommodation in many places." This is why local authorities are increasingly having to invest in new buildings or containers. "The funds currently being paid are not enough for this," added the Managing Director. "So we have a lot to discuss with the state."
The aim is to ensure that the local authorities do not lose out financially. "Because we can't allow situations to arise where gyms are occupied for years and school and club sports are canceled because there is no money for less problematic solutions." On Tuesday morning, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the federal states presented a change to the system for financing refugee costs, and benefits for asylum seekers are also to be cut.
Wolfgang Schuster (SPD), President of the Hessian Association of Districts, welcomed the fact that payments are now linked to the number of refugees. "Regrettably, however, what we consider to be an important municipal demand for the full assumption of accommodation costs for recognized refugees has not been adopted by the federal government," he added.
The Hessian municipalities need to engage in discussions with the state government about the comprehensive reimbursement of refugee accommodation costs, as the current distribution of burden between federal and state governments does not provide immediate financial relief. Due to the high influx and price increases, local authorities are investing in new buildings or containers, but the current funds are insufficient to cover these expenses.
Source: www.dpa.com
