Berlin’s New Seven-Story Shelter Aims to Transform Youth Homelessness
Berlin’s largest youth homelessness charity, Straßenkinder e.V., is expanding its support with a new facility in Lichtenberg. The organisation helps around 500 young people each year, offering guidance and shelter to those aged 16 to 22. Now, plans for a dedicated seven-story building aim to provide even more stability for vulnerable youth in the city.
Across Germany, at least 6,500 children and young adults live on the streets. In Berlin alone, over 4,000 homeless minors relied on emergency shelters in 2023. Many face homelessness due to unstable or abusive home environments, with limited safety nets available. Youth welfare services typically end at 18, or in rare cases at 21, leaving older teens and young adults without critical support.
Straßenkinder e.V. currently assists nearly 500 of Berlin’s homeless youth each year. Their approach focuses on long-term mentorship, offering counseling and companionship without conditions. To further this mission, the charity is constructing Kinderhaus Butze in Lichtenberg, a purpose-built facility set to open in spring 2026. The new building will include 41 single rooms across seven floors, ensuring privacy and dignity for residents. Beyond accommodation, it will feature counseling spaces, career guidance programs, and recreational workshops. Recent reports highlight minors as the group most at risk of losing housing, making such specialised support increasingly urgent.
Kinderhaus Butze will add much-needed capacity to Berlin’s youth homelessness services. With 41 beds and tailored programs, the facility aims to address both immediate housing needs and long-term stability. The project reflects Straßenkinder e.V.’s ongoing commitment to filling gaps left by traditional welfare systems.
