Emergency housing assistance

All over Germany, there are free counseling services for homeless people or those experiencing a housing emergency. The support services that arise from the counseling are also generally free of charge for homeless people.

The basic tasks of emergency housing assistance are:

• the prevention of imminent homelessness,
• the integration of homeless people into normal, permanent housing conditions (housing procurement),
• accompanying housing assistance for people formerly threatened with and affected by homelessness.

The advice and assistance services vary depending on the advice center and the focus of the facility. For example, not all facilities can help directly with finding accommodation and you will be given the right contact in such a case.

Many counseling centers offer the following services:

• Counseling in the event of imminent loss of housing and information on housing preservation,
• Counseling in the event of rent debts and referral to the relevant authorities,
• Mediation in the event of problems with institutions, such as public offices, authorities, landlords or energy suppliers,
• Postal accessibility by setting up a postal address,
• psychosocial counseling in personal crisis situations or for health care,
• referral to suitable specialist agencies or further help facilities,
• support in finding accommodation,
• information on emergency shelters, food banks or day centres.

The process for emergency housing assistance is straightforward.

Contact the office responsible for you in person, by phone or by email and arrange an appointment.

In conversation with your advisor, you can describe your situation and look for possible solutions together. There are many reasons why people get into difficulties and lose their home. Even if it takes a lot of effort: A consultation is a strong first step that you take to end your distress.

Counseling is confidential and can also be anonymous - simply ask at the counseling center responsible for you.

The local authorities and districts are usually responsible for providing advice and combating homelessness. They are obliged under the Public Order Authorities Act to provide accommodation for people without shelter. In addition, voluntary welfare organizations (Caritas, Red Cross, etc.) and private organizations also provide advice and help in overcoming and combating homelessness.

You can use the Counseling center finder to find a counseling center near you.

You do not necessarily need to bring any documents with you to your first interview. The following documents may be required for further interviews, if available:

• Identity card or passport
• Rental contract
• Proof of income
• Proof of payment obligations
• Letter of termination
• Eviction judgment
• Notice of forced eviction

The advice center for housing emergencies can help you if you are at risk of becoming homeless. It provides advice if, for example:

• you have rent debts,
• the apartment has been terminated without notice,
• an action for eviction has been filed or
• there is a threat of eviction.

On request, the employees also provide support:

• In contacting the landlord or landlady to make payment arrangements and secure rent payments,
• when dealing with authorities and
• when applying for social benefits