Berlin Boosts Winter Homeless Support: Emergency Places Up, Warmth Bus Returns

Berlin is preparing for the colder months, with around 6,000 people currently living without shelter in the city. Welfare organizations are urging a focus on preventing homelessness during this challenging period.

The German Red Cross will operate its warmth bus daily from 6:00 PM to midnight, starting November 1st and continuing until the end of March. This service is crucial as the cold relief season in Berlin typically runs from October 1st to April 30th, with additional places provided during particularly harsh winter months.

To tackle homelessness, Berlin has around 720 emergency overnight places ready. By November, this number is expected to rise to at least 949. These places are part of a broader effort that includes 'specialized Wohngemeinschaften' or 'housing projects'. These are shared housing or houses established by charitable organizations and landlords in cooperation with various support services. They aim to provide stable accommodation and social support to vulnerable individuals, helping them to integrate and prevent long-term homelessness.

As of January 31, 2025, there were 53,610 housed homeless people in Berlin, highlighting the scale of the challenge faced by the city's homeless population.

With winter approaching, Berlin is bolstering its efforts to support its homeless population. The expansion of emergency overnight places and the operation of the warmth bus are crucial steps. However, welfare organizations emphasize the importance of prevention, highlighting the need for continued support and integration services through initiatives like 'specialized Wohngemeinschaften'.