Hundreds of thousands of people are considered homeless. The government wants to get the problem under control by 2030 with a 31-point action plan. For critics, the plan is not concrete enough.
For the first time, the federal government has decided on an overall concept against homelessness. The cabinet approved the “National Action Plan against Homelessness” at midday. The goal is to overcome homelessness and homelessness in Germany by 2030.
The federal government, states, municipalities and actors from practice and science came together for the action plan. The plan includes a total of 31 measures. The key point in combating homelessness is more affordable housing, explained Building Minister Klara Geywitz. She spoke of a “mammoth task”.
Migrants also help
The ultimate goal is that everyone affected “receives a suitable housing offer by 2030”. In order to implement the whole thing, the federal government wants to set up a national forum against homelessness.
“Immigrants or refugees should also live independently within four walls as quickly as possible,” said migration officer Reem Alabali-Radovan, explaining the action plan. To achieve this, the transition from communal accommodation to living space would have to be made more quickly, the fight against discrimination on the housing market would have to be strengthened and advice services would have to be made more easily accessible.
Criticism from social associations
Social associations and representatives of those affected said it was good that the federal government was tackling the problem. However, the action plan lacks more concrete solutions. In tenancy law, for example, there is no reform regarding grace period payments, explained the Federal Working Group for Homeless Assistance (BAG W) and the Tenants’ Association. The question is whether a termination is still effective if rent arrears are paid or not.
Federal funding for social housing was also not sufficient. Diakonie criticized: “There is a lack of concrete, effective social and housing-related measures to create living space for homeless people and to prevent loss of housing.”
Different numbers too Homelessness
The number of homeless people in Germany is difficult to determine. According to the Federal Ministry of Construction, around 372,000 people in Germany are considered “housed homeless”. 80 percent of these do not come from Germany. These people live in public accommodation, such as shared accommodation for asylum seekers. New figures will be published at the end of this year.
There are also hidden homeless people who live with friends or on the streets. The ministry puts this number at around 86,700. The BAG W, on the other hand, speaks of 600,000 homeless people, around 50,000 of whom live on the streets.
Markus Wolf, BR, tagesschau, April 24, 2024 3:42 p.m