Rising demand for housing and the associated housing shortage in Germany: In recent years, the demand for housing and therefore the housing shortage in many German cities has steadily increased or grown. Berlin, for example, has over 3.8 million inhabitants (as of 2024). Berliner Stadtmission states on its website that there are an estimated 40,000 homeless people in Berlin – a quarter of whom are women. “Homeless,” continues Berlin Stadtmission, ”is anyone who does not own a home or does not have a secure tenancy agreement.” Anyone can become homeless these days.

Participants (hereinafter referred to as guests) are first selected by the Neukölln district office and then by SBW Berlin gGmbH Eligibility criteria include the absence of drug addiction or other serious health problems or similar. Once accepted into the project, guests receive a subletting contract for free accommodation in the SBW Berlin premises. As a rule, they are provided with a furnished room in a shared flat for two people free of charge. In addition to the advice provided by SBW Berlin, guests are expected to proactively participate in the search for accommodation and prepare the documents required for the search independently. The aim is for guests to find their own permanent accommodation within six months.