Flats4Volunteers

The number of students in Germany has been rising steadily since 2022 and stands at 2.88 million as of the 2025/26 winter semester (Statistische Bundesamt). Berlin, for example, has seen a 2.8% increase in student numbers compared to the 2024/25 winter semester, according to the Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg. According to a preliminary report by this office, 206,458 students are enrolled at a university [or university of applied sciences] in Berlin [as of December 2025]. This naturally has an impact on a housing market that is already under severe strain.

Berlin: College Town but too few Dormitories

Berlin has numerous public and private universities. In addition, there are a large number of branches of private and public universities from other federal states or even other countries (Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Gesundheit und Pflege). If a university has a legal contract or agreement with studierendenWERK BERLIN, students have access to 9,200 places in various halls of residence spread across the city. This currently applies to only 21 of the 40 universities and universities of applied sciences.

Mental Stress caused by long Periods of Waiting

studierendenWERK BERLIN undoubtedly offers affordable apartments for individuals and groups, BUT the current waiting period for such apartments in Berlin is two or three semesters (or, in other words, between 12 and 18 months). This can be particularly stressful for first-year students and can also have a negative impact on their everyday student life.

Comparison of Student Numbers
in 2025 vs. available Dormitory Places

2.88 million students in Germany

206,458 students in Berlin

9,2 K

52,5 %

SBW Berlins „Flat4Volunteers“

Based on the increasing number of students in Berlin and the resulting rise in the number of students looking for accommodation, the “Flats4Volunteers” project was launched in late fall 2025 in addition to the existing SBW Berlin scholarship program. In exchange for social engagement, SBW Berlin offers students enrolled at a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin who are within the official standard period of study for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program free accommodation in one of its two-person shared apartments (WGs) in Buckow, Neukölln.

Accommodation in shared apartments for two

  • Fully equipped two-person shared apartment (60m2)
  • Cozy & fully furnished living room/study/bedroom (ca. 20m2)
  • Modern kitchen with appliances, dishes, pots etc.
  • Clean bathroom with shower & toilet
  • Internet & washing machine included in all apartments
  • No additional costs

Social Engagement at a Glance

Duration of assigment: 4 hours/week or 18 hours/month

Opportunities to volunteer:

  • Supporting a local social/non-profit organization (e.g., Berliner Tafel, Berliner Stadtmission, Caritas Berlin, Hejmo, Die Arche etc.)
  • Assisting the SBW Berlin Team, if appropriate

Your Social Engagement

Since SBW Berlin only offers free accommodation in exchange for social engagement, all volunteers engage socially in Berlin during their project participation. For example, volunteers can support a social/non-profit organization in Berlin and help with food distribution or sort clothes in the clothing bank, if such services are available for the homeless population or unhoused. Working with children and young people also offers a variety of opportunities, from helping to organize leisure activities to homework supervision, etc. The important thing is that all volunteers are socially engaged and proactive in some way.

Requirements for participating in “Flats4Volunteers”

  • Aged between 18 and 30
  • Enrolled at a university or university of applied science in Berlin
  • Studying within the standard period of study for the respective bachelor’s or master’s degree program

How to apply

  • Current certificate of enrollment
  • Cover letter regarding (planned) social engagement
  • Copy of your admission letter to a university or university of applied science, if applicable

Documents should be sent in PDF format with “Flats4Volunteers” in the subject line to info@sbw.berlin.

KONTAKT

Füllen Sie bitte das nebenstehende Formular aus, um mit uns in Kontakt zu treten. Wir freuen uns auf Ihre Nachricht.