Recent figures from the German government highlight a growing homelessness crisis, with more than 531,600 people without stable housing, according to the latest Homelessness Report. This represents a nearly 100% increase from 2022, driven by a combination of factors, including underreporting in prior statistics, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the accommodation of around 136,900 Ukrainian refugees in temporary housing.
The report, released by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development, and Building, found that approximately 439,500 individuals are reliant on emergency housing, while another 60,400 are staying with friends or family. Importantly, two-thirds of those affected are male, and more than half have experienced violence since becoming homeless.
Housing Minister Klara Geywitz emphasized that homelessness is not confined to urban areas and that the government is addressing the issue through initiatives like a €20 billion investment in social housing by 2028. The German government has set a goal to eradicate homelessness entirely by 2030.
This surge in homelessness mirrors broader trends in the European Union, where an estimated one million people are homeless nightly, with the true number likely being much higher due to challenges in data collection and varying national definitions.
Despite the alarming rise in homelessness, Geywitz remains optimistic, asserting that with targeted investments and reforms, Germany can combat the crisis and provide stable housing for its vulnerable populations.
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