Senate: New survey on homeless and homeless people
More than five years after the last survey, the situation of homeless and homeless people in Hamburg is to be surveyed again. The planned survey is expected to take place next year and will be based on previous surveys, the social services department explained on Monday in response to an inquiry. The CDU parliamentary group had previously announced that the red-green senate was now complying with its demand for a new survey of homeless people.
The CDU parliamentary group's social policy spokesperson, Andreas Grutzeck, emphasized that the number and composition of these groups had changed significantly since the last survey in 2018. "But so far, this is only an impression that has not been verified." His parliamentary group therefore called for a new survey this spring, which should also include drug addicts for the first time, as stated in the corresponding motion.
"In order to be able to help specific target groups, we need to know exactly how the composition of homelessness on Hamburg's streets has changed," said Grutzeck. In addition to helping those affected, this is also important with regard to Hamburg residents' need for security. "We are very pleased that the SPD and the Greens have now agreed to our request after an admittedly long period of hesitation," said the CDU politician. The request for additional questions on the health situation of people living on the streets, which the government factions had introduced, was welcomed "wholeheartedly" by his parliamentary group.
After the Social Affairs Committee had recently dealt with the CDU parliamentary group's request, the report of the expert committee will be discussed at the next parliamentary session on November 22. The social welfare authority emphasized that "Hamburg is the only major city in Germany to have already initiated three comprehensive surveys on the situation of homeless and homeless people".
Based on the last survey from 2018, the authority estimates that there are around 2,000 homeless people living on the streets in Hamburg. According to the social welfare authority, people who do not have a rental contract or their own accommodation and live in state-run facilities - including refugees housed there - are recorded as homeless. At the beginning of the month, the municipal company Fördern & Wohnen announced that 46,000 people were currently living in public accommodation. "The accommodation capacity in the city is over 97 percent full," it said at the time.
The red-green senate's decision to conduct a new survey on homelessness is seen as a response to the CDU parliamentary group's demand, acknowledging the significant changes in the number and composition of homeless individuals since the last survey in 2018. Understanding these changes is crucial for tailoring social services to specific target groups, ensuring the safety and well-being of Hamburg's residents.
Source: www.dpa.com
