Housing First Köln

Housing First Cologne gives homeless people a home again, with a real tenancy agreement of their own. 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 wish to take advantage of other housing services offered by the support system (e.g. assisted living, residential groups).

In concrete terms: Who Housing First Cologne is suitable for
Housing First Cologne is a pilot project funded by the City of Cologne. Housing First aims to reach a specific group of people in Cologne in order to give them a chance to fulfil their human right to housing. The following are therefore eligible for Housing First Cologne:

1. People who in Cologne live permanently on the street, or
2. People who have been staying in single hotels in the city of Cologne for a long time (at least 2 years), or
3. People who are constantly moving back and forth between the accommodation facilities of the City of Cologne or other emergency accommodation in Cologne or a stay on the street in Cologne.

What housing with Housing First means: Homeless people first receive their own tenancy agreement with all rights and obligations. They are then offered professional support to help them keep their home and achieve their other goals for organising their lives. The professional help and support are an integral part of the concept - but they are voluntary and closely orientated towards the tenants' individual goals and wishes. Unlike other homeless assistance concepts, such as assisted living, housing and assistance are not directly interdependent.

Housing First Cologne currently has no free capacity to accept further people into the programme. The list of interested parties is closed.