Homelessness in Germany - What if you can’t afford a home? | DW Documentary

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2022-02-01に共有
Up to one million people in Germany are considered to be experiencing homelessness. Despite having a job or a pension, many are unable to afford a home of their own.

According to estimates, the number of people experiencing homelessness has been rising steadily since 2008. For too long, politicians have ignored the problem and neglected to collect comprehensive data - even though the issue has long since reached the heart of society. It’s only now in 2022 that the German government will have collected nationwide data to assemble official statistics. Because only people housed in community or emergency shelters are counted, this analysis will be supported by additional reporting on the number of people living on the streets.

The problem is exacerbated by overburdened aid and support systems, a lack of coordination, a tight housing market and real estate speculation. For experts such as social anthropologist Luisa Schneider, it mainly comes down to a lack of strategy: "At the moment we find ourselves in a situation where we are managing, but not solving homelessness. If we don’t change our social structure, these numbers are going to skyrocket. The problem can’t be solved with our current system."

Reporter Max Neidlinger accompanied several people experiencing homelessness. Their stories are examples of an ever graver problem: More and more people are homeless or, less visibly, being housed in makeshift accommodation. There is a lack of both affordable housing and a long-term strategy to support those affected. Yet in a joint declaration of EU member states, Germany has pledged to work to end homelessness by 2030.

Homeless people in Germany have been forced to fend for themselves. Many of them are unable to seek help or are unaware of possible assistance. Some feel a sense of shame and oftentimes they live hidden away, somehow managing to survive. How is it possible that in one of the world’s wealthiest countries, people increasingly cannot afford a home of their own, despite having a job or a pension? And why has there been inaction for so long?

#documentary #dwdocumentary #homelessness #Germany
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コメント (21)
  • I've been homeless and lived in a garage with my dogs. Doing it in the middle of a Ohio winter is tough. I also walked around a lot. It's one of the most desperate, lonely feelings I've ever had. Watching people live normal lives. I've gotten myself out of the situation but at a cost. I lost my dogs. They had to go to a rescue. My heart was broken. People would be amazed how many homeless stay that way because of their animals.
  • @ZoKitchen
    Felt so bad for them especially now it’s winter it’s very cold for these homeless people
  • This makes me so sad. I'm heartbroken for that sweet lady and her fur babies. I'll pray for her to find a forever home.
  • The scariest part is that it could happen to ANYBODY. And that is so awful, people who are used to having a place to live and now all of a sudden boom, there is NOTHING. Nobody should have to live like this.
  • I'm a 72 year old British woman and at my age there's not much that surprises me, but this documentary really shocked me. I never thought that such a problem would exist in a country like Germany.
  • The most frightening part of this is how normal the ones classed as homeless are, it shows how easily it could happen to many of us
  • My brother recently told me he was homeless, living in his vehicle many years ago. It shocked me, he never asked me for help. Unfortunately, I was stationed in Okinawa Japan at the time. It's an eye opener.
  • I lived in Germany 76-79 and 90-93. Never saw anything remotely resembling a homeless problem. Housing was hard to get in the early 90s but lots of housing was being built. Loved living there…I’ve been back a few times since. I was in the Munich Bahnhof in 2010 and tossed a bottle in the regular trash. An elderly lady walked over and took it out and I thought she was shaming me. But I watched another video of how many poor pensioners were in Germany and I realized she was collecting recyclables for the money.
  • What a shame. I just can’t believe this country is going through such horrible moment with the homeless. Great documentary DW! Thanks for sharing with the world.
  • It's more painful to see elderly people going through this. They should be taken care of.
  • All I can say is wow...I watch a lot of documentaries and this is one of the best filmed and edited ones I've ever seen. When I whisked me way through Germany last summer on the ICE train through Frankfurt and Koln to Hamburg, I never imagined there were that many homeless in the country. It's a big problem in Canada too, and only getting worse with the rise in inflation and the never ending rent increases. I truly admire the effort that Euro countries are making to try to mitigate this pressing issue, I only wish the government here cared as much. Thank you for making this documentary.
  • I will keep these wonderful people in my thoughts and prayers. Homelessness is a united nation issue and we never truly appreciate what we have unless we see these people hurting this way. God bless them all.
  • This is a world wide problem. This shouldn't be going on in this day and age.
  • @rawdog42
    It's a Worldwide problem. I'm 56, in the town I grew up in (Ajax, Ontario, Canada) the average house price was $35,000. It is $700,000 now.
  • Sascha. 😭 It's admirable that you won't give up your cat. God bless you brother.
  • This poor lady, worked all those years and she has 2 little beloved dogs and she is homeless. I'm crying this is breaking my heart. God bless you and care for you and you furry companions. A true strength and animal lover same as the man who loves his cat. Animals are so kind to us, ppl of aren't. Lovely guy 👋✌✋💕 WHY IS IT AS A COUNTRY BECOMES RICHER THE POOR BECOME POORER MORE DEATHS MORE HOMELESS MORE DESPAIR😢
  • My heart is broken for the lady and her sweet little dogs. I hope they are in a safe, comfortable home together now. 😭
  • No matter which country they are from. All homeless are deserve a shelter. Been homeless for few weeks in India. I mean spent all those days in my office only with one pair off clothes, since my rented house was seized by my owner. I literally cried every day. It's very hard to spend as homeless.
  • Thank you for this video. I agree that this is a multi faceted problem, due to many issues, foremost is a poor infrastructure to provide affordable housing for those on low income, Greed, high cost of living., fragmentation of families, unemployment and lack of concern.As a young person Iived in different foster homes because my mother was a single parent, who could not afford housing. She was a domestic, who cleaned peoples houses.. There was no help from extended family, and my father never showed up.Today I have a heart that reaches out to those in need still. I am 69 and I share my pension. You Never know when the tide can turn.Let’s be kind and not Judge homeless people!!!
  • These situations people are suffering through are tragic! My heart goes out to them.