Help services for homeless people

In the 2022 budget of the City of Chemnitz, approx. 1.7 million euros have been earmarked for the various forms of assistance.

What measures are in place to protect and support homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic?

The network of organisations and institutions working for homeless people is working closely together and will continue to provide all services in accordance with the current hygiene regulations. Information on how to support this group of people is exchanged on an ongoing basis.

The Social Welfare Office's emergency housing assistance is available and provides support with difficult questions and clarification of individual cases, e.g. in cases of suspected infection.

Outreach work, i.e. street social work, continues to take place in compliance with safety precautions to protect those involved.

The same procedures apply to all citizens of the city of Chemnitz with regard to medical care or the detection of coronavirus infection. Current information can be accessed by citizens and social pedagogues on site at any time via: https://www.chemnitz.de/chemnitz/de/leben-in-chemnitz/gesundheit/gesundheitsschutz/coronavirus/index.html

With regard to health insurance, the respective social service providers are responsible depending on the group of people.

There is a hygiene plan for the housing project (accommodation facility with socio-educational support), which regulates internal procedures for infection hygiene, for example.
The public health department is responsible for monitoring infection hygiene. In the event of an infection, the necessary measures are determined by the public health department. In individual cases, appropriate isolation precautions are taken.
Employees and residents are instructed and sensitised to comply with the regulations accordingly.

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.

Let the public authority number 115, the social welfare office or the municipal police know where you have found the person or where they are usually staying and how they can be contacted if necessary. The public 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 above-mentioned organisations at any time.

Good to know:

People experiencing homelessness are not always able or willing to accept well-intentioned 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 here, making it as easy as possible for people in need to access support services and accompanying 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 thus 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 September 2022):