Emergency housing assistance

Throughout 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

• preventing the threat of homelessness,
• the integration of homeless people into normal, permanent housing (housing procurement),
• housing-related assistance for people who were formerly threatened with homelessness or affected by it.

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 advice centers offer the following services:

• Advice if you are at risk of losing your home and information on keeping your home,
• Advice on rent debts and referral to the relevant authorities,
• Mediation in the event of problems with institutions, such as government 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 centers.

The procedure for emergency housing assistance is straightforward.

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

In a 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 inquire 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 canuse the advice center finder to find an advice 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 agreement
• Proof of income
• Proof of payment obligations
• Letter of termination
• Eviction judgment
• Eviction notice

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

• You owe rent,
• the apartment has been terminated without notice,
• there is an action for eviction or
• there is a threat of eviction.

On request, the staff will also provide support

• in contacting the landlord to make payment agreements and secure rent payments,
• dealing with the authorities and
• applying for social benefits.