Südstadt Heinzel: Homeless people find new support through garbage collection

Südstadt Heinzel: Homeless people find new support through garbage collection

In Cologne's southern town, a remarkable project that should give homeless people a new perspective has closed its gates. The “Südstadt Heinzel” project was active for almost two years and focused on the garbage collection in the Volksgarten. It was funded by the State Foundation NRW, but the support ended at the beginning of 2025. The Cologne job center also did not provide any funds due to budget cuts, which resulted in closure, such as the Cologne Stadt-Anzeiger Reported.

The project initiated by the Social Service of Catholic men (SKM) was mainly aimed at unemployed homeless people from other EU countries, including Bulgaria, Poland and Romania. These people were often not entitled to government financial support in Germany. Nevertheless, 38 homeless people took part in the garbage collection campaign, four of which were able to find a job and living space through the project. The participants received one euro per hour and reported on improving their self -esteem, which had a positive effect on their life situation. In addition, it was found that alcohol consumption went back and to improve the mood in the emergency sleeping place.

a call to support

To continue the project, Elke Tonscheidt started a fundraiser with a target of 20,000 euros to secure the financing for two to three months. In order to cover the annual costs of around 130,000 euros that are necessary for salaries, remuneration and meals of the participants, cooperation with donors is essential. The social workers Hans Arnold and Jörg Graef of the SKM are passionate about the integration of homeless people and emphasize the need for contact points to help those affected.

While such initiatives are important, there is also resistance. The Cologne CDU parliamentary group has proposed to clear the homeless hotspots in the city center, a measure that SKM employees understood as the wrong signal. Anke Collignon from the SKM appeals to politics that they need contact points for homeless people to not only support them, but also to integrate them.

The great challenge of homelessness

The problem of the homelessness does not only affect Cologne, but also represents a problem for society as a whole. According to the Federal Government, the homelessness and homelessness in Germany are to be overcome by 2030. As early as 2024, around 1.3 million people lived in Europe without secure accommodation, such as bmwsb.de The legal definition of homelessness not only includes people without accommodation, but also includes those who temporarily live with friends or in emergency accommodation.

The national action plan to combat homelessness, which was decided in 2024, is intended to serve as a guideline for everyone involved. This includes record investments in social housing and reforms of housing benefit in order to improve the framework conditions for all low -income people. These steps are absolutely necessary to find a sustainable solution and to stop the creeping tightening of the living situations, as well as the support of projects such as the garbage collection in Cologne.

The challenges are great, but without solidarity and comprehensive support, many people will continue to suffer from precarious living conditions. The situation requires a good hand of all actors to open up the homeless new opportunities and at the same time to maintain their dignity.