Mayor Ludwig: The goal is good cooperation
City and state directorate provide information on the current situation - Number of refugees is growing - Decentralised housing concept to be continued - Chemnitz residents can contact the citizens' office with questions
The increasing number of refugees and asylum seekers from different regions of the world presents the federal government, the Free State and local authorities with new challenges: On the one hand, there is a humanitarian obligation to provide refugees with good and safe accommodation. However, due to the significant increase in numbers, this poses a particular logistical challenge, especially for local authorities, to provide additional accommodation in a short space of time. And finally, it is important to ensure that asylum seekers and the local population can live well together.
Mayor Barbara Ludwig and Annette Drossel, Head of the Department of Internal Affairs, Social Affairs and Health, provided information on the current situation in Chemnitz and further developments at a press conference today.
Initial situation
The Free State of Saxony operates its central initial reception centre in Chemnitz. Before such facilities are also built in Dresden and Leipzig in the next two years, all refugees allocated to the Free State are currently arriving in Chemnitz. Other locations are currently being used temporarily to accommodate the newly arriving refugees until the capacities in Dresden and Leipzig are available. After three months in the initial reception centre or its outposts, the asylum seekers are distributed to the municipalities and districts.
The number of assigned refugees is steadily increasing. The forecast assumes further significant growth by the end of the year. The state directorate informed the city of Chemnitz at the end of August that 664 people will have to be accommodated by the end of the year.
Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2103 | 2014 (extended) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allocations | 123 | 150 | 269 | 366 | 265 (664) |
Total number of people accommodated | 252 | 282 | 368 | 534 | 677 (ca 1036) |
There are currently 677 people living in Chemnitz who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Of these, 433 people live in shared accommodation and rented flats and 244 people live in their own accommodation.
This year, the city of Chemnitz has already taken in 265 people, with around 400 more to come. Joint solutions are therefore required with the federal and state governments in order to create good conditions for asylum seekers and the citizens of the cities in which they are to be accommodated to live together in harmony.
"Our goal is good coexistence between those who come to us and the people of Chemnitz," says Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig. "It's a simple goal that is sometimes difficult to achieve. We want to encourage integration in the city's neighbourhoods, but we also take citizens' questions, fears and concerns seriously. That is why there will also be contact persons for them. At the same time, we are constantly learning in this new task and inviting partners to join us."
Strategy of the City of Chemnitz
The city's fundamental aim is to welcome people regardless of their origin, culture, religion or nationality who want to settle in Chemnitz or live here, and to provide them with the best possible conditions for integration and equal opportunities. Asylum seekers are also included in this commitment.
In this respect, the City of Chemnitz will continue to pursue the goal of housing asylum seekers as decentrally as possible, even under the changed conditions. This approach has already proved successful in the past. Particular attention will be paid to families with children, people in need of assistance and women, who should not be accommodated in the four communal centres wherever possible.
Asylum seekers are therefore already being accommodated in decentralised flats in various parts of the city, and will continue to be so in the future. This integration process is supported by social workers and social pedagogues.
The City of Chemnitz will also be setting up a telephone line for citizens' questions and concerns with immediate effect: Anyone who wants to can call the Mayor's office on 0371 4881516. This can also be done by email at buergerbuero(at)stadt-chemnitz.de In addition, the City of Chemnitz will also make use of existing networks in the neighbourhoods concerned and approach district managers, churches or sports clubs, for example, in order to facilitate local integration.
The social welfare office is also currently working on a concept to clarify other issues associated with the increasing number of refugees. In addition to accommodation, this includes the question of integration in daycare centres and schools. Currently, 31 children attend municipal daycare centres and 81 attend primary or secondary school.