Homelessness in Germany
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Homelessness in Germany is a significant social issue, estimated to affect around 678,000 people,[1] including about 372,000 people accommodated by public services, e.g., in municipal refugee shelters.[2] As of 2017[update] there had been a 150% increase in the homeless population within the country since 2014.[3] Around 22,000 of the homeless population are reported to be children.[1][citation needed]
In addition, the country has yet to publish statistics on homelessness at a Federal Level[4] despite it being an ongoing and widespread matter.
Prior to WWII
In 1933, the Nazi Party passed a Law "against Habitual and Dangerous Criminals", which allowed for the relocation of beggars, homeless, and the unemployed to concentration camps.[5]
WWII and its impact
In 1942, British bombing raids destroyed a total of 3.6 million homes, with 7.5 million Germans left homeless.[6]
Current statistics
The homeless levels have risen more than 4% between 2017–2018.[1] In addition, according to BAGW's report, refugees are more likely to be homeless.[7] The number of homeless people with a refugee background increased by 5.9%. A majority of the homeless population is men (three in four).[7] There is a worrying increase in the amount of young homeless in some countries including Germany.[8] According to the German Federal Ministry for Housing, more than half a million people in Germany are homeless as of August 2025.[9]
Causes
The Federal Government acknowledges that homelessness in Germany is caused by multiple factors, "such as financial, domestic, and individual psychosocial reasons" and that it is not merely rooted in the lack of affordable accommodation.[4] According to Global Homelessness Statistics, "Around 50% of poor households spend more than 40% of their disposable income on housing".[8] The Berlin Homeless Shelter Association provides housing to the homeless population in Berlin, Germany.
