REFUGEE CRISIS: German city builds brand new apartments for refugees only
The first group of refugees have entered their new homes in
the German town of Bielefeld. Thirteen apartments were built especially
for those who are in the asylum process. The project combines new
apartments with social support and its goal is to encourage integration
of the refugees.
Social affairs officer, Ingo Nürnberger, commented
regarding the city building apartments only for refugees, “There is
clearly an envy debate,” he says. But: “Every built apartment currently
relieves the housing market,” he adds.
The apartments were built by Solion, a subsidiary of the local
municipality. New apartments for refugees will also be built at three
other locations in Bielefeld. “We want to create not only emergency
solutions, but sustainable living,” says Nürnberger.
According to Nina Schalles, of the social welfare office, refugees
who live in the apartments receive support of several organisations to
encourage integration.
There’s a serious housing crisis in Germany as there’s a 150 per cent rise in the number of homeless since 2014.
