Osnabrück's Warm Meal Initiative Supports Homeless Residents This Winter
Osnabrück Invites Homeless Residents to Warm Meal in Historic Town Hall
The city of Osnabrück recently welcomed homeless and housing-insecure residents to a reception featuring soup and hot dogs in the famed Friedensaal (Peace Hall). Mayor Katharina Pötter greeted around 60 guests, remarking, "This world-renowned hall is the heart of our city, and we take pride in the fact that its doors are open to all kinds of people."
With the aroma of pea and potato soup already wafting from the foyer into the hall, the mayor kept her speech brief. "It's lunchtime, we're all hungry, and I look forward to getting to know you better over a meal," she said. The invitation extended to visitors of the day shelter, the specialist advisory center, the warming station, Café Connection, the Laurentiushaus, and the railway mission.
This was the second event of its kind, held during the cold season—but not at Christmas, when such gatherings are more common. For the rest of the year, even in freezing weather like the current spell, opportunities for connection are rarer. Guests enjoyed their soup and coffee in the small council chamber and at tables in the foyer, with the hot dogs and sliced sausage proving especially popular.
"It's important to engage in conversation with all the people in this city," the mayor emphasized. "It's always better to talk with people, not about them."
Background: Supporting Those Without Housing
The challenges faced by homeless and housing-insecure individuals are complex. One key goal of Osnabrück's Municipal Housing Security and Prevention Office is to prevent homelessness—a difficult task given the severe shortage of affordable housing. The office also coordinates access to additional support services, such as debt counseling, addiction assistance, and social housing aid.
In 2025, the office helped 202 individuals retain their homes, while 31 others secured new housing and avoided homelessness. To prevent evictions in urgent cases, the city also covers rent arrears—34 such cases were recorded in 2025. Further rent assistance was provided through other social services divisions, though these are not included in official statistics.
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