Self-governed entities
In the heart of Hamburg, Germany, a growing number of homeless individuals are grappling with the complexities of finding permanent housing. Norbert Hinz&Kunzt, a 39-year-old Slovak, is one such individual who found himself sleeping on the streets after arriving in the city four years ago.
Norbert's journey to secure an apartment was aided by Isabel Kohler, a social worker from Hinz&Kunzt, who helped him secure a place with the assistance of a foundation. However, Norbert's experience is not typical. Consequences for those seeking help are dramatic, with some having to wait months for an appointment or being unable to reach employees.
Miroslav, a homeless man who uses a wheelchair, and his girlfriend Barbara, have been searching for shared accommodation for months, facing numerous obstacles. Their recent stay in a hotel, granted temporarily in June, offers them a glimmer of hope, but their future accommodations remain uncertain.
The Fachstellen für Wohnungsnotfälle in Hamburg are responsible for preventing homelessness and helping those who are homeless find accommodation. However, these offices are not functioning as they should. Social workers report delays in placement in shelters due to staff shortages, but maintain that they mediate applicants promptly.
Norbert, in his quest for help, mistakenly went to a Fachstelle in the Mitte district office and was turned away immediately. There are seven such offices in the city, but their effectiveness is questionable. The authority admits to these issues, acknowledging that some positions "could not be filled within several selection procedures."
The reliance on citizen reports about homeless emergencies and problematic groups suggests gaps in immediate institutional response or outreach. The number of people accommodated in public facilities in Hamburg has increased significantly from 30,000 in 2021 to 45,000 by the end of April 2023, primarily due to the influx of Ukrainian refugees.
People are often directed to aid organizations or moved from one Fachstelle to another due to unclear responsibilities. Security personnel now control access to the offices and are the first point of contact, but they are not experts in the field. This lack of expertise and the operational difficulties faced by the Fachstellen might be contributing to the challenges experienced by homeless individuals like Norbert and Miroslav.
Despite these challenges, the dedication of social workers like Isabel Kohler offers a glimmer of hope. As the city continues to grapple with the rising number of homeless individuals, it is crucial to address these operational difficulties and ensure that everyone in need receives the help they deserve.
- Norbert's journey to secure an apartment was aided by a social worker, Isabel Kohlt, who works at Hinz&Kunzt, a foundation that assists in health-and-wellness matters, including mental health.
- The town's home-and-garden focuses, Fachstellen für Wohnungsnotfälle, are responsible for managing the housing-market crises and facilitating accommodations for the homeless.
- Miroslav, a homeless man using a wheelchair, and his girlfriend, Barbara, have been searching for an appropriate shared dwelling in the realm of lifestyle and investing that caters to their specific needs.
- Norbert discovered that the effectiveness of these Fachstellen is questionable after being turned away by one in the Mitte district, difficulting his search for suitable housing in real-estate.
- The city's authorities are working to address operational difficulties within the Fachstellen for Wohnungsnotfälle, ensuring adequate staffing and expertise to help homeless individuals like Norbert and Miroslav secure permanent housing effectively.
