Homes for Vulnerable Target Groups

Combating Homelessness 

The German Federal Government’s first homelessness report, published at the end of 2022, clearly showed that homelessness is a serious and growing problem in Germany. As a strong residential real estate company, we believe it is our responsibility to uphold the human right to housing as part of a functioning welfare state and actively contribute to resolving this challenge. We use our core skill – renting out apartments – to give a home to those who are affected or threatened by homelessness.

We primarily pursue the “Housing First” approach, which ensures that homeless people are provided with a standard tenancy agreement with all of the normal rights and obligations, regardless of any mental or physical health conditions that they might have. It is only after this that they are offered help in order to get some stability into their lives. Vonovia provides homes for this purpose through numerous cooperative arrangements – particularly as part of North Rhein-Westphalia’s “Endlich ein ZUHAUSE!” initiative – and provides further support through various other accompanying measures. Instead of long waiting lists or requirements, those affected are given direct access to housing and subsequent personalized support to help them get settled in their new home. By working together with various agencies, we helped to provide a total of 544 apartments in 2023 and were thus able to make a significant contribution to helping the homeless. We work closely with Bundesverband Housing First e.V. in order to build reliable partnerships in as many locations as possible. 

Our activities also cover other formats and target groups, such as “Haus Strohhalm” in Berlin, where we have provided the premises for a homeless shelter in a new BUWOG building. We made sure that the agency was closely involved in the planning process for the building, which can house over 44 people. The construction project took the agency’s requirements into account. In addition, we are working in partnership with the Hestia e.V association, also in Berlin. Over the next few years, we will make 15 homes available to be used as shelters for women and children who have been or are exposed to violent situations. 

This approach helps us to create a safe, stable environment for the most vulnerable members of our society. We are determined to tackle the challenge of homelessness in the long term and to make a lasting positive impact through continued partnerships and support measures.