Berlin's New Plaque Honors Homeless Lives Lost on the Streets

A quiet tribute now marks the lives of Berlin's homeless lost to the streets. But will the city finally confront its failure to remember them?

, and Administrator

2026 February 19 . 3:12 PM

1 min read

The image shows a poster advertising Berlin, Germany, featuring a statue, buildings, a tower,... — The image shows a poster advertising Berlin, Germany, featuring a statue, buildings, a tower, people, vehicles on the road, and a bridge. The poster also has text written on it, likely providing information about the city.

Berlin's New Plaque Honors Homeless Lives Lost on the Streets

A new memorial plaque near Ostbahnhof now honours Berlin's homeless who have died on the streets. Installed by the nonprofit Gangway in autumn 2025, it marks the first formal recognition of their lives. The city, however, still lacks a central place of remembrance or official records of these deaths.

Between 4,000 and 8,000 people live without shelter in Berlin. Many endure freezing temperatures, using tents, cardboard, and blankets just to survive. Violence and insecurity in public spaces add to their struggles, with reports of harassment even from law enforcement.

The nonprofit Gangway has long supported those on the streets. Their worker, Tino Kretschmann, points out that homelessness drastically cuts life expectancy. Most who die receive a 'social burial'—a simple, unmarked grave funded by welfare offices.

Criticism also surrounds Berlin's ASOG shelters, accused of treating housing as a business rather than a humanitarian need. Without systematic records, the true number of street deaths remains unknown. The Ostbahnhof plaque, where mourners leave photos and tributes, shows a growing demand for recognition.

Kretschmann hopes this first memorial will lead to a permanent central site. For now, the plaque stands as a quiet reminder of lives often forgotten.

The plaque at Ostbahnhof offers a small but visible tribute to Berlin's homeless. Yet the city still lacks a full account of street deaths or a dedicated space for remembrance. Advocates continue to push for change, as the issue of homelessness—and its human cost—remains unresolved.