Help services for homeless people

The city of Chemnitz offers numerous assistance programmes for homeless and homeless people. In view of the colder season, the Social Welfare Office answers frequently asked questions:

What is the current (estimated) number of homeless people in the city of Chemnitz?
The number of homeless and homeless people is not known and cannot be determined, as only those people who make use of help services and thus become known can be recorded.

Homeless people can, for example, be accommodated in "Wohnprojekt Eins" and, if they wish, receive socio-educational support. As of the end of September 2024, 35 people live there. Eleven of them only use the emergency accommodation in the night shelter. A total of 27 people used the emergency accommodation in the night shelter in September.

The "Haltestelle" day centre also offers people without their own home the opportunity to set up a postal address, e.g. to receive mail from the authorities. Last year, 178 people used this option.

Every month, around 460 people seek help from the City of Chemnitz Social Welfare Office to end or prevent homelessness.

How does the City of Chemnitz support people?
Together with the independent organisations providing emergency housing assistance, the City of Chemnitz provides a permanent support system for people without a home of their own and those at risk of homelessness.

The help for homeless people has several objectives: On the one hand, to find accommodation, but also to alleviate a current emergency situation. For those affected in Germany, and this is unique internationally, there is a legal entitlement to help and also a municipal obligation to provide accommodation.

Homelessness and the reasons that lead to the loss of a home are so complex that appropriate help always requires good interdisciplinary co-operation between all those involved. The extensive current help and support services for people in difficult circumstances in Chemnitz can be found at the end of this press release.

What budgets does the current budget provide for support?
In the 2024 budget of the City of Chemnitz, around 2.2 million euros have been earmarked for the various forms of assistance.

What additional services are available for homeless people during the winter?
All services are provided continuously and in line with demand. If the overnight accommodation is fully utilised, additional overnight accommodation can be made available at short notice.

What can you do if you notice a person who appears to be homeless in a public space?
Approach the person and ask if and what help they need. This could be a hot or cold drink, something to eat, clothes, money or a snack for the dog. Also refer them to the above-mentioned offers of help.
Inform the public authority number 115, the social welfare office or the municipal police service where you have found the person or where they are usually staying and how they can be contacted if necessary. The authority staff will then try to establish contact and offer support options.
If the person is in an obvious emergency situation, e.g. is no longer responsive, you should inform the emergency medical service immediately in the interests of first aid.

How can you help?
Looking after other people is not always a matter of course and is greatly appreciated. Be attentive, ask questions and refer people to support services. Inform the relevant authorities. The authorities will take further steps. Personal offers of help and support, e.g. in the form of monetary donations or material items (food, clothing, drugstore items) or your own voluntary work can be sent directly to the organisations mentioned at any time.

The following items are mainly needed:

Food (can be kept without refrigeration)

• 5 minute mug meals
• Hot cup
• Packet soups/canned soups
• Tinned fruit
• Ready meals
• Tinned food
• Sausage in a jar
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Pasta/rice
• Broth
• Canned sausage
• Shrink-wrapped sausages
• Biscuits/cookies/crackers
• Muesli bars
• Cough sweets
• Tea (bags or "crumbs")
• Cold tea/hot lemon etc.
• Effervescent multivitamin tablets

Hygiene articles (new goods)

• Lip balm
• Hand cream
• Toothpaste/toothbrushes
• Dry shampoo
• Shower gel
• deodorant
• Antibacterial wipes/gel
• Disinfectant
• Paper tissues
• Sanitary towels/tampons
• Panty liners
• Wet wipes
• Disposable razors/shaving foam
• Contraceptives
• Nail files
• Combs/brushes
• Bandages/plasters
• Toilet paper
• Sunscreen/insect repellent

Warm clothes/clothing

• Socks (new)
• Hats/gloves
• Underwear (new)
• scarves
• shoes
• Sleeping bags
• sleeping mats
• Blankets

Other items

• Day tickets
• drinking bottles/thermos flasks
• Small torches
• Outdoor cutlery
• rucksacks
• Fanny packs/belt pouches
• Candles/permanent burners/tealights
• lighters
• Small combination locks
• First aid kits (not expired)
• Card games (skat, rummy)
• Dog food/cat food
• Vouchers for drugstores or similar.

Good to know:
People experiencing homelessness are not always able or willing to accept well-meant help. Due to bad experiences, illnesses or psychological limitations, this group of people is sometimes difficult to reach for help. The well-developed network of emergency housing assistance in Chemnitz tries to help everyone with professional support and offers. Street social work is often the first port of call in order to make it as easy as possible for people in need to access support services and to accompany them along the way. The social workers regularly seek contact, offer hot drinks or soup and also have clothes with them. In this way, they endeavour to build up a relationship of trust with the aim of enabling those affected to make use of the emergency housing assistance services and stabilise and improve their living situation.

Results are not always immediately recognisable. Sometimes allowing a conversation or accepting a cup of tea is already a big step forward. Accepting support is voluntary. It is only possible for the authorities to intervene with certain measures, e.g. medical care or accommodation against the wishes of the person concerned, if the person concerned is a danger to themselves or others. Thanks to the qualified and continuous cooperation of the emergency housing assistance system in Chemnitz, homeless people can regularly move back into their own accommodation and improve their living situation.

Counselling and support services for people in difficult living situations in Chemnitz (as at November 2024):