In view of the impending cold wave, the Federal Working Group on Homeless Assistance is warning of inadequate care for the homeless. “Cold poses an acute threat to life for homeless people,” said managing director Sabine Bösing Editorial Network Germany. Without access to warm, safe shelters, homeless people are left defenseless against the extreme temperatures.
The German Weather Service warns of significantly lower temperatures in the coming days. Dry, frosty air is expected to prevail almost everywhere in Germany, especially over the Christmas holidays.
Offers of help for the homeless are inadequate
Many homeless people suffer from previous illnesses, malnutrition or exhaustion, which further increases the risk of hypothermia, said Bösing. At the same time, the offers of help in many municipalities are inadequate or not low enough.
According to Bösing, the central reasons for homelessness are poverty and the Lack of affordable, needs-based housing. “In view of the threat of cuts in the social security system, we expressly warn against further cuts Increase in homelessness” she said.
The number of homeless people has recently increased
Projections from the Federal Working Group on Homeless Assistance. V. (BAGW). There were at least 1,029,000 homeless people in Germany in 2024, including 50,000 homeless people. Compared to the previous year, these numbers have increased by around 11 percent.
The BAGW also criticizes cuts in homeless assistance and the social security system as well as the decline in the stock of social housing, which continues due to commitments that expire every year and inadequate new construction.
