Homeless in Hamburg: "Dying on the street must be stopped immediately"

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On the Reesendammbrücke, within sight of the town hall, there are candles on Wednesday, a large banner reads “Open the Hotels”: After five homeless people had died on Hamburg's streets since New Year's Eve, the street magazine “Hinz & Kunzt” called for a vigil to answer the demand to put emphasis on the accommodation of the homeless in hotels.

"We must not allow more people to die on the street," said Stephan Karrenbauer, social worker from "Hinz & Kunzt", on Tuesday when the vigil was announced.

Accommodation in vacant hotels is necessary to protect people from Corona.

The street magazine receives support from Caritas as well as from the CDU and the Left.

After the deaths, the CDU had already requested a special meeting of the social committee in the Hamburg citizenship on Monday.

Like the left-wing faction, the CDU is also calling for homeless people to be accommodated individually in hotels.

At the special session it must be clarified why the Senate rejects this and instead sticks to the previous collective accommodation.

With a view to the corona pandemic, it is important to create trust.

"During the pandemic, large accommodation will be avoided even more"

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On Wednesday, Caritas also asked for hotel accommodation for people at risk from the cold.

"The numbers are frightening and make it clear that something has to be done in this city," said Michael Edele, Country Manager of Caritas Hamburg.

“Dying on the street must stop immediately.

The existing help system is not sufficient. "

Large accommodations with up to six-bed rooms would not be accepted by some of the homeless people.

Especially people with mental illnesses find it difficult to get involved in these accommodations.

“This situation has been known for years - including the Hamburg social authorities.

During the pandemic, large accommodation will be avoided even more, ”said Edele.

"In view of the pandemic and the adverse temperatures, we need small, decentralized accommodations and the hotels to be opened," demanded Edele.

Private initiatives have shown how successful hotel accommodation is for homeless people.

Social authority refers to free places in the winter emergency program

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Meanwhile, the Hamburg social authority has pointed out free capacities in the winter emergency program.

At three central locations, which are connected to the city center by a bus shuttle, overnight accommodation, shower and washing facilities as well as catering with hot meals are available.

On-site advice is also offered in order to develop a perspective from homelessness.

According to the social authorities, all facilities have hygiene concepts against corona infections.

Trained specialists are available for medical help.

If corona cases are suspected, help can be found quickly and an infection clarified.

There is separate accommodation for people infected with corona.

According to the authorities, there are currently more than 1000 places available for the homeless.

Urban street social workers seek out homeless people specifically to draw their attention to the offers.

A name does not have to be given upon admission, and no applications or visits to the authorities are necessary.