Homeless shelters offering temporary overnight accommodation are consistently filled to capacity. - Overcrowded reality for new homeless shelters
In a significant move to combat homelessness in Berlin-Kreuzberg, the "Ohlauer 365" shelter, operated by the Berlin branch of the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, has been providing around-the-clock overnight accommodation for the past year. The project, considered groundbreaking by Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD), has been fully occupied every night for the past twelve months, with over 32,000 overnight stays recorded during this period.
The "Ohlauer 365" shelter offers a comprehensive range of services to its guests, including warm meals, new clothing, medical care, and multilingual social counseling. The Senate's social administration finances the accommodation, with 1.6 million euros earmarked for the shelter in 2025.
District Mayor Clara Herrmann (Greens) has emphasized the need for year-round support for homeless people, particularly those struggling with addiction issues. She stresses the importance of linking up with addiction help for homeless individuals, ensuring they receive the necessary care and support to overcome their challenges.
Before the "Ohlauer 365" shelter, a temporary shelter at Ohlauer Straße 22 was part of Berlin's winter cold relief since 2018. The new shelter, however, represents a significant step towards providing year-round support for homeless people in the area.
The Berlin Johanniter, a major relief organization in Germany, offers 88 sleeping places for homeless and seeking protection men at their shelter. The organization typically provides a range of services to homeless people, including emergency medical care, food distribution, counseling, and sometimes shelter or assistance in finding housing.
The "Ohlauer 365" shelter's first year's balance sheet underscores the urgent need for year-round assistance for homeless people. As such, efforts to coordinate with local NGOs and charities, as well as the Berlin Senate, are essential to ensure continuous outreach and support throughout the year, not just during the winter months.
Interested Berliners were invited to visit the facility near Görlitzer Park on a recent Saturday, offering a glimpse into the vital work being done to support the city's homeless population. For precise, up-to-date details on current strategies and resources provided by Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe and the Berlin Senate in Berlin-Kreuzberg, contacting the organizations directly or visiting their official websites would be necessary.
- The "Ohlauer 365" shelter, in collaboration with the Berlin Senate's social administration, is planning to expand its services to include vocational training programs as part of their community policy, aiming to equip homeless individuals with job skills for long-term health-and-wellness and self-sufficiency.
- To further boost the holistic support offered at the "Ohlauer 365" shelter, partners from the field of science are being invited to contribute, particularly in areas such as mental health and addiction treatment, to ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex needs of homeless individuals.
