Germany sees record number of people without permanent housing

Germany is facing a record high in the number of people without permanent housing, with 1.03 million affected in 2024, according to the federal association BAG W, which supports the homeless. Around a quarter of those are children and teenagers.

BAG W defines people without permanent housing as those who do not have a rental agreement or own property, Caliber.Az reports via German media.

Many live in refugee shelters, social institutions, or with friends and relatives. Homeless people, by contrast, have no housing at all and are forced to sleep on the streets.

In 2024, approximately 56,000 people were classified as homeless. In 2023, 928,000 people were without permanent housing, while 54,000 were homeless. Around 80% of those affected do not hold German citizenship, including 55,000 EU nationals.

The association highlighted that the main reasons for losing permanent housing in 2024 were rent and utility arrears, conflicts with neighbours, divorce or separation, and relocation.

German authorities are obliged to provide temporary shelter to those left without a roof over their heads. However, many prefer to stay on the streets, as shelters often cannot guarantee privacy and security.

“Homelessness in Germany has reached a record level, and there is no end in sight,” said Susanne Hahmann, chair of BAG W.

“The causes are well known: a shortage of affordable housing, poverty, and the ongoing threat of cuts to social welfare funding. Without decisive action from politicians and society, even more people will lose their homes,” she added.

In April 2024, the German government published a national action plan aimed at ending homelessness by 2030. The plan includes state funding for social housing construction, measures to combat discrimination in the property market, and support for access to insurance and advisory services.

Experts, however, have called for more concrete steps, such as setting quotas for homeless people in new social housing. They have also suggested that a portion of funds allocated for building social housing be redirected specifically to provide accommodation for those without homes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev