Residents' meeting: Concept for the accommodation and care of asylum seekers in Chemnitz presented

Mayor Barbara Ludwig: "I am campaigning for an open city. Open to ideas. Open to change. Open to the world. And open to people who come to us. That also applies to asylum seekers. At the same time, I know that there are also fears and reservations. That's why the administration will first present the accommodation concept to the citizens and get their opinion before the discussion takes place in the city council."

The accommodation and care concept is intended to provide the people concerned, but also the city of Chemnitz, with a binding orientation framework to enable integration. The development of refugee numbers and the associated challenges in the reception, accommodation and social care of refugees require the establishment of principles and guidelines for the fulfilment of this task.

The accommodation and care concept is based on the recommendations of the Free State of Saxony for the reception and accommodation of refugees on the one hand and on the circumstances and professional approaches in the City of Chemnitz on the other.

Refugees and asylum seekers in Chemnitz

The Federal Republic of Germany distributes incoming refugees to the federal states according to a predetermined quota, the Königstein Key. It takes into account the tax revenue of a federal state and the number of inhabitants. Saxony must therefore take in 5.1 per cent of all refugees. 10,433 of these refugees last year were initially accommodated in the state's central initial reception centre in Ebersdorf and the branch office in Schneeberg, which are operated by the Saxony State Directorate. Due to the increasing numbers, the state is also renting other accommodation for the refugees. The state is also planning to build initial reception centres in Dresden and Leipzig. The city of Chemnitz has no direct influence on the initial reception centre of the Free State of Saxony.

After a maximum of three months in the initial reception centre, during which the status of asylum seekers is clarified by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in a hearing procedure, the refugees are distributed by the Free State to the districts and municipalities. This often happens at very short notice, meaning that the city has to find accommodation for several dozen refugees within a few days.

Overall, Chemnitz has to take in 5.98 per cent of the refugees arriving in Saxony in accordance with legal requirements. At the end of 2014, 935 people were accommodated in Chemnitz. Even with rising refugee numbers, the proportion of refugees remains extremely low at 0.39 per cent of the city's total population.

The aim is decentralised accommodation

As far as possible, accommodation in Chemnitz is based on the concept of decentralised accommodation, in which refugee families can live largely independently. Two thirds of people are accommodated in this way. The City of Chemnitz is also convinced that this form of accommodation is best suited to social integration. It is primarily intended for couples or parents with underage children as well as women living alone. There is also the possibility of shared flats. Special consideration can be given to religious, linguistic and ethnic differences.

The total of 125 flats for 371 asylum seekers are spread throughout the city, including in Bernsdorf, Gablenz, Sonnenberg and the Schloßviertel. In March, eleven more flats for 42 asylum seekers will be added in Kappel. The tenancy agreement is not concluded by the asylum seekers themselves. The rental agreement is concluded between the landlord and the city of Chemnitz (outsourced housing). There are also 173 flats for 250 people in the city where the asylum seekers have concluded the tenancy agreement directly with the landlord.

There is also shared accommodation where people who do not run their own household live temporarily. Special features here are communal areas such as kitchens, lounges, washrooms and toilets. Only around a third of asylum seekers in Chemnitz live in shared accommodation.

Regular information from citizens and city council planned - on-site support

The accommodation centres for asylum seekers are managed by experienced operators who have been looking after migrants for several years. Social workers from the social welfare office are also on site to provide support in the event of initial difficulties and problems. Churches, clubs and associations or neighbourhood managers are also good partners. The "Save me" association also provides sponsors who look after the refugees. In Chemnitz, around 30 volunteers have volunteered so far to help asylum seekers get off to a good start.

The City of Chemnitz will continue to provide information on the topic, including at residents' meetings in the city's neighbourhoods. The Lord Mayor will raise the issue at all residents' meetings, and up-to-date information can be found in the official gazette and at www.chemnitz.de. Every six months, the administration will report to the City Council, and therefore also to the citizens, with an information document on the status of implementation of the concept.

Police Commissioner Reißmann emphasised that the security situation in Chemnitz is still excellent in a nationwide comparison. The police are particularly active in the city centre, where they are not only in uniform but also in civilian clothes and are therefore not always immediately recognisable to citizens. However, if a criminal offence is committed - no matter by whom - it is always advisable to call 110 immediately.

Questions or offers of help

Citizens can also contact the administration at any time with questions or problems: The citizens' hotline can be reached on 0371/488 1516 or by email at . The Social Welfare Office, Department of Migration, Integration and Housing is also the point of contact, as is the Citizens' Office via the standardised public authority telephone number 115 or the police (0371/387-0) and the state directorate (0371-532-1010 and .

Citizens who want to get involved in helping refugees are welcome at any time, emphasised Social Services Director Cornelia Utech at the event. Anyone who would like to sponsor a refugee family as they take their first steps in Germany or give German lessons is welcome to contact the citizens' hotline or the social welfare office.

Current information:

www.chemnitz.de/fluechtlinge