The BAG Homelessness Aid (BAG W) has released its annual statistics and analysis on the situation of homeless people and those at risk of losing their homes, revealing a troubling trend in Germany.
The report shows that 13% of all people seeking help from independent homelessness services are employed, highlighting that housing insecurity affects not only the unemployed but also those in the workforce. Families remain heavily impacted, with 11% of all recorded individuals in 2023 living with at least one child. These figures underscore the broader consequences of homelessness on education, social participation, and family stability.
The data also reveal that people without German citizenship are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity. In 2023, 38% of all people seeking help lacked German citizenship, marking a record high. Alarmingly, 20% of non-German individuals remained in housing distress despite being employed, and families were more common among this group (18%). Among non-German women, nearly one in four lived alone with their children, with 48% of all women seeking help having a migration background. Access to healthcare is also limited: around 17% of non-German individuals lacked any health insurance, rising to 27.5% among EU citizens.
Joachim Krauß, migration specialist at BAG W, explains that limited recognition of foreign qualifications, language barriers, and restricted access to social benefits often lead to precarious or exploitative work arrangements, which in turn make affordable housing harder to secure. “Migration is increasingly an independent risk factor for homelessness,” he said.
The report indicates that nearly three-quarters of people seeking help were actively homeless at the time of seeking support, lacking secure housing. Almost half temporarily stayed with family, partners, or acquaintances (47.5%), reflecting efforts to solve housing problems independently. Since 2013, over one-third now live in absolute poverty, with young people under 25 particularly affected, 45% of this group have no independent income.
BAG W emphasizes the urgent need to expand social housing and strengthen preventive measures to avoid homelessness before it occurs. Ensuring access to support services regardless of residency status is also crucial.
Susanne Hahmann, chair of BAG W, stressed the importance of migration-sensitive support and non-discriminatory access to the housing market. Sarah Lotties, a BAG W specialist, added, “Homelessness means the loss of privacy, stability, safety, and security. When children are affected, we must ask ourselves if society can truly accept this situation.”
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