{"id":15838,"date":"2026-01-20T16:12:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbw.berlin\/?p=15838"},"modified":"2026-02-20T16:41:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T16:41:30","slug":"flats4volunteers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbw.berlin\/en\/flats4volunteers","title":{"rendered":"Flats4Volunteers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flats4Volunteers<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>
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Rising student numbers and increased demand for housing: <\/strong>With the prospect of better career opportunities and earning potential, ever more young people in Germany are choosing to study at a university after graduating from high school instead of pursuing traditional vocational training. Beyond that, Germany<\/strong> is known worldwide for its outstanding education system<\/strong> and low tuition fees<\/strong> compared to other countries, making it an attractive destination<\/strong> for international students.<\/p>\n

It is therefore hardly surprising that the number of students in Germany has been rising steadily since 2022 and stands at 2.88 million<\/strong> as of the 2025\/26 winter semester<\/strong> (Statistisches Bundesamt<\/a>). These students naturally also require housing in an already strained housing market. Consequently, the demand for housing is growing in many German cities\u2014including Berlin.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Berlin: College Town with relatively few Students Housing Options<\/h3>\n

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 f\u00fcr Wissenschaft, Gesundheit und Pflege<\/a>). Here, too, there is a noticeable upward trend in the number of students. According to the Amt f\u00fcr Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg<\/a> (Berlin-Brandenburg Statistics Office), the number of students at universities and technical colleges in Brandenburg and Berlin rose by 3.7% and 2.8% respectively in the 2025\/26 winter semester compared to the 2024\/25 winter semester. As of December 2025<\/strong>, the Office for Statistics reports that \u201cthere are 206,458 students<\/strong> enrolled at a university [or technical college] in Berlin<\/strong>.\u201d Of these, 9,200 could live in student residences run by studierendenWERK BERLIN<\/a>, but the university or technical college where the students are studying must either have a legal contract with studierendenWERK BERLIN or have entered into an agreement with it. Of the more than 40 state and private institutions, this currently applies to exactly 21 universities and technical colleges.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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SBW Berlins \u201eFlat4Volunteers\u201c<\/h3>\n

Although affordable housing<\/strong> for both single and multiple occupants can be found through studierendenWERK BERLIN, the current waiting period<\/strong> for such apartments in Berlin is two or three semesters<\/strong>. That means between 12 and 18 months<\/strong>. Oftentimes even longer. This is a major challenge, if not a significant burden<\/strong>, especially for first-year students, which can undoubtedly have a negative impact on their daily study routine and mental health.<\/p>\n

SBW Berlin<\/a> therefore considered how it could support students looking for accommodation in Berlin. As an addition to the existing scholarship program<\/a>, the \u201cFlats4Volunteers\u201d project<\/strong> was launched in late fall 2025. SBW Berlin offers free accommodation in one of its two-person shared apartments<\/strong> in Buckow, Neuk\u00f6lln, to students<\/strong> enrolled at a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin<\/strong> who are looking for accommodation<\/strong> and are within the official standard period of study for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program in exchange for social engagement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

So, what do these two-person shared apartments look like?<\/h3>\n

The shared apartments are fully furnished<\/strong> and come with a washing machine<\/strong> that volunteers can use for free. High-speed internet<\/strong> is also available. Besides a shared kitchen with all the appliances you need and a bathroom that two volunteers share, each volunteer also has their own private room<\/strong> that they can use as a living room, bedroom, or workspace<\/strong>. Naturally, this room can be further customized after moving in. Volunteers can, for example, hang pictures or posters or arrange the different areas of the room according to their taste. There are no additional running costs<\/strong> during participation in SBW Berlin’s \u201cFlats4Volunteers\u201d program. That means electricity, heating, and water are included.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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