Housing First Köln

Housing First Köln enables homeless people to find a home again, with a genuine tenancy of their own - without preconditions. The new home is the starting point for further help and support on the way to a more hopeful life. Vringstreff e. V. brought Housing First to Cologne in 2019 and has been active with its initiative since 2020.

Housing First Köln targets people acutely affected by street homelessness - People who are currently sleeping on the street or are only temporarily accommodated in a hotel by the city. For whom the project is also suitable: for people who are homeless and do not want to make use of other housing offers of the support system (e.g. assisted living, housing groups).

What living with Housing First actually means: Homeless people first receive their own tenancy agreement with all rights and obligations. Subsequently, they are offered supportive professional assistance to keep the flat and to achieve their further goals for shaping their lives. The professional help and support is an integral part of the concept - however, it is voluntary and closely oriented to the individual goals and wishes of the tenants. Unlike other concepts of homeless assistance, such as assisted living, housing and assistance are not directly dependent on each other.

At the moment, Housing First Cologne has no capacity available to admit more people to the programme. The waiting list is closed.