Help services for homeless people

The city of Chemnitz offers numerous assistance programmes for homeless and homeless people. In view of the colder season and the special conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the social services department answers frequently asked questions:

What is the current (estimated) number of homeless/homeless people in the city of Chemnitz?

The number of 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 the housing project and, if they wish, receive socio-educational support. At the end of October, 39 people were living there. Nine of them only use the emergency accommodation in the night shelter. So far in October, a total of 29 people have utilised the emergency accommodation in the night shelter.

The day centre also offers people without their own accommodation the opportunity to set up a postal address, e.g. to receive mail from the authorities. At the end of October, 67 people were using this service.

Help to end or prevent homelessness is utilised by around 450 people per month at the City of Chemnitz Social Welfare Office.

How does the City of Chemnitz support people?

Together with the independent organisations providing emergency housing assistance, the City of Chemnitz has 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. This applies against the backdrop of the current coronavirus pandemic.

Homelessness and the reasons that lead to the loss of a home are so complex that appropriate help always requires good interdisciplinary cooperation between all those involved. The following overview of help services in Chemnitz reflects the scope and range of areas of life affected.

Note: The current counselling and support services for people in difficult life situations in Chemnitz can be found at the end of the press release.

What budgets does the current budget provide for support?

In the 2020 budget of the City of Chemnitz, around 1.9 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 with homeless people is working closely together and will continue to provide all services as far as possible. Information on support for this group of people is exchanged on an ongoing basis. Notices about available services are available to the organisations providing assistance for the homeless and are also displayed at the entrance to the social welfare office.

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.

With regard to medical care or the detection of coronavirus infection, the same procedures apply as for all other citizens of the city of Chemnitz. Current information can be accessed by citizens and social pedagogues on site at any time viahttps://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 Wohnprojekt Eins (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 must be determined by the public health department. Appropriate isolation precautions are taken in individual cases.

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 on an ongoing and needs-orientated basis. As things stand at present, no additional measures are required during the winter. 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 offers of help mentioned above.

Let the authorities on the 115 number, 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 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 it 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.

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 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 life situations in Chemnitz (as of November 2020):