Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken out in favor of improving support for homeless people. There are “gaps in the help system, and not all help arrives,” said Steinmeier in an interview with German street magazines, including the Düsseldorf-based “Fiftyfifty”, published at the weekend. Offers of help must be made more accessible and the people affected must be given more support in finding and using suitable offers. “In our prosperous country, we must not accept that people living outside our society are in need and misery,” said the Federal President.
Steinmeier also demanded that precautionary measures must be strengthened so that people do not lose their homes or become homeless in the first place. “This includes closer cooperation, for example between job centers and health insurance companies.” You should be able to take action before someone threatens to have a housing shortage. But attention in society is also important. Steinmeier appealed: “We have to take a look and, if necessary, get help if neighbors or acquaintances get into such difficulties.” He rated the housing benefit reform positively. This could support more households than before with their housing costs.
The housing benefit is a benefit for households with low incomes such as low earners or pensioners. Housing benefit recipients can expect higher payments in the coming year. The Federal Council approved a far-reaching housing benefit reform in Berlin on Friday. On average, the rent subsidy for households with low incomes will increase from 180 euros to 370 euros per month from January.