Cologne in a state of emergency: homeless people fight against neglect and drug misery

Cologne in a state of emergency: homeless people fight against neglect and drug misery

The discussion about homelessness and the worsening drug problem in Cologne is gaining momentum. The debate received particular attention when Mayor Henriette Reker denounced growing neglect in the city in 2024. “This is a problem for society as a whole,” she stated, emphasizing that their role in this issue is often overestimated. The facts speak for themselves: the number of homeless people has more than doubled in the last ten years - from just over 3,000 in 2010 to over 7,000 in 2020. Migrants are particularly affected, as every second homeless person recorded in North Rhine-Westphalia has a non-German nationality, as belovedinkoeln.com reported.

“We can no longer ignore reality,” said Leo Büchner, who was placed in an emergency shelter after losing his apartment. Less than two days later, he was robbed and had to move to a homeless hotel, where he shares a room with two other people. For him, the visibility of homelessness and drug misery in Cologne is now part of everyday life.

Head of Social Affairs Harald Rau has already responded to the increased offers of help and is planning to open three new addiction help centers. The Cologne transport company, on the other hand, has announced restrictive measures against overnight camping in subway stops. The Cologne CDU is even calling for the evacuation of homeless places like Neumarkt. But this approach is met with resistance: Büchner shows understanding for the residents' concerns, but does not see eviction as a solution - after all, there are enough empty apartments in Cologne.

Criticism from those affected

Another voice is that of Kim, who now has an apartment after a year on the streets. She describes the subway stops as places of refuge for many homeless people and expresses the urgent desire for more psychological support and a rethinking of housing policy. Michael, a 49-year-old, has lived on the streets for almost three decades and has watched the mood in the city become more aggressive. “The new drugs like crack and fentanyl are making the situation even worse,” he reports and urgently calls for better alternatives and lounges for drug addicts.

The health aspects of homelessness are the focus of a comprehensive discussion. According to a partial report by the European Parliament Homeless people are often involved in an intensive form of social exclusion, which leads to increased health risks. They often face enormous challenges in accessing social services. The connection between drug use and homelessness is complex and requires a holistic approach to provide effective support.

Call to action

The situation is threatening, and the voices affected demand more than just symbolic politics. As a sign of change, he will organize a social city tour with Kim on October 10th, during which citizens and interested parties will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the reality of homelessness in Cologne. Registrations are under tour@draussenseiter-koeln.de possible. It becomes clear: In order to address the challenges of dealing with homelessness and addiction, not only a political realignment is required, but also your voices and your commitment to a city of solidarity.