The Paritätische Gesamtverband, a leading German welfare association, has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating risk of hypothermia-related deaths among the homeless population, urgently appealing to local and regional authorities to significantly increase support measures. Joachim Rock, CEO of the Paritätische Gesamtverband, emphasized in a statement to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that the current wave of freezing temperatures poses an “acute life danger” and necessitates “immediate, coordinated action.
Rock’s call focuses on the urgent need for readily accessible, low-threshold emergency shelters, alongside adequate funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – often the first responders providing vital on-the-ground assistance. These organizations, he argues, are frequently stretched thin and require substantial financial support to effectively address the crisis.
Verena Bentele, President of the VdK (Association of the Disabled), echoed this sentiment, asserting that “no one in our society should be left defenseless against the cold”. She highlighted the particular vulnerability of individuals lacking stable housing or facing precarious living conditions, emphasizing the crucial need for accessible, warm shelters and easily obtainable support services.
However, Bentele’s critique extends beyond the immediate crisis, voicing serious concerns about the long-term impact of the government’s planned welfare reforms – specifically, the new Grundsicherung system. She argues that these reforms, rather than alleviating hardship, are likely to exacerbate the problem of homelessness and social distress. The proposed stringent limitations on Jobcenter support for housing costs and the possibility of deducting these costs entirely during sanctions, represent a concerning trend that will further marginalize vulnerable individuals and potentially drive more people into homelessness. Critics fear the new system will prioritize bureaucratic control over genuine welfare provision, ultimately failing to address the root causes of vulnerability and potentially creating a cycle of dependency and instability. The current situation underscores a growing political debate over the efficacy and ethical implications of these reforms, as pressure mounts on lawmakers to prioritize human dignity alongside fiscal responsibility.