Diakonie demands full-time opening of winter emergency program - Hamburg's homeless face deadly cold as shelters struggle to keep up
Freezing temperatures and snow have put Hamburg's homeless population at serious risk. The city has expanded emergency shelter spaces, but advocates argue the current system still leaves many vulnerable. Over 3,800 people live without permanent housing in Hamburg, with only a fraction able to access round-the-clock protection from the cold.
Hamburg operates a mix of permanent and seasonal shelters to support its homeless residents. Permanent facilities, such as Pik As on Eiffestraße with 330 beds and the women's shelter on Hinrichsenstraße offering 60 beds, remain open year-round. However, during winter, the city activates additional temporary spaces—400 beds at Friesenstraße and 300 at Châu-und-Lân-Straße—from November to March.
This seasonal expansion brings the total emergency capacity to around 1,200 extra places, on top of the roughly 2,500 permanent beds. Despite this, the Diakonie, a major welfare organisation, has criticised the limited opening hours of cold weather shelters. They argue that restricted access forces homeless individuals to endure life-threatening conditions, especially those with preexisting health issues.
The Diakonie has called for shelters to remain open 24/7 throughout the winter. While they welcome the expanded hours, they insist continuous access is essential to prevent deaths from exposure. Meanwhile, residents have been urged to check on homeless people and offer hot drinks when possible. In medical emergencies, the public is reminded to dial 112 for an ambulance immediately.
Hamburg's winter aid programme aims to protect thousands from the cold, but gaps in shelter availability remain. With over 700 emergency spaces now active, the city's efforts provide temporary relief. Yet, without full-time access, homeless individuals continue to face severe health risks during freezing weather.
