Notes on Homelessness in Germany

Overview

• Many individuals in Germany are working yet remain unhoused.
• Denny Wagner (cook) and Attila Kokas (gardener) exemplify this situation.
• Both face extreme challenges despite having jobs.

Denny Wagner

• Works at a homeless shelter after being unhoused for nearly six months.
• Has no stable living situation after a robbery and losing documents.
• Emphasizes the stress of living on the streets, noting:
  • Constantly on the move from early morning until late evening.
  • Ensures guests at the shelter have hearty meals.

Attila Kokas

• Employed as a gardener for a charity, also responsible for trash collection.
• Wakes up very early (3 a.m.) to avoid ticket checks on public transport.
• Moved to Germany from Hungary seven years ago seeking a better life.
• Finds shelters unsafe and lacking privacy due to various issues among residents.

Challenges of Homelessness

• Lack of affordable housing in cities like Berlin.
• Bureaucratic hurdles complicate access to housing.
• Mental health and addiction issues are prevalent among the unhoused.
• Only a fraction of unhoused individuals manage to secure stable housing, often due to discrimination from employers.

Employment and Support

• Denny's employer provides support, allowing him to shower and do laundry.
• Attila receives assistance from a social worker to find housing.
• Denny is viewed as having potential to escape homelessness due to his work ethic and lack of substance abuse.

Living Situations

• Attila received a room in a hostel, shares amenities, but is disappointed it isn't his own apartment.
• Denny lives in a small wooden hut with minimal facilities, using a gas burner for warmth.
• Both men express the need for a stable living environment.

Reflections on Their Past

• Denny recalls a better life with family and stable job, but chose to distance himself from his previous life.
• Acknowledges the dangers of drug addiction and its impacts on individuals in similar circumstances.

Conclusion

• Despite their struggles, both Denny and Attila remain hopeful for a future with stable housing.
• The journey to find affordable housing remains a significant challenge in urban Germany.