However, a growing shortage of available apartments is threatening the expansion of these vital programs across Bavaria.
A Permanent Home as a Turning Point
For Bertram Gehringer, settling into his own apartment was life-changing. After years of living on the streets, sleeping in bank lobbies, under bridges, or on heating vents, the 46-year-old now lives in a small rental unit in Würzburg’s Heuchelhof district. His journey toward stability began with the “Noah” project, a local initiative operated by the Christophorus Society based on the Housing First principle. Unlike traditional aid programs, Housing First offers housing without requiring tenants to prove their “housing readiness” beforehand. This model emphasizes trust and stability as the foundation for personal recovery.
Stable Lives, but Not Enough Homes
Project leader and social worker Jan Bläsing highlighted the model’s impact: about 90 percent of the housed participants have remained in stable accommodations and are no longer living on the streets. According to Bläsing, the key to success lies in continuous support, especially since former homeless individuals struggle to compete in a tight housing market. Concerns from landlords about potential issues are often unfounded, he added. The team remains in close contact with both tenants and property owners. Currently, “Noah” supports 13 people across 11 apartments in Würzburg.
Few Programs Amid Rising Homelessness
Despite proven results, there are only three Housing First initiatives in all of Bavaria – located in Würzburg, Nuremberg, and Kronach. Bläsing warned that the state remains critically underserved, even as interest in the model grows nationwide. Germany now hosts nearly 50 Housing First projects, but the homeless population continues to climb. According to the latest federal report, over 500,000 people in Germany lack permanent housing, including approximately 53,000 in Bavaria.
The High Cost of Inaction
Dr. Kai Hauprich, chairman of the Federal Housing First Association, voiced strong criticism of the government’s current approach at a recent conference in Würzburg. He described it as a “social policy scandal” that homelessness was mentioned only briefly in the coalition agreement. Hauprich argued that homelessness leads to significant public costs, from hospital stays and emergency shelters to substance abuse treatment and incarceration. In contrast, stable housing reduces these expenses, as studies have consistently shown since the model emerged in New York in the 1990s.
Finland as a Model for Success
Finland is often cited as a leading example of effective Housing First implementation. Since 2008, the country has reduced chronic homelessness by 70 percent. Hauprich emphasized that such success required consistent, cross-party political will and investment in expanding housing options under this model.
Limited Reach of Bavarian Initiatives
The Bavarian state government has shown some interest. Following a 2021 state parliament resolution, it commissioned a feasibility study on Housing First. The findings suggested that five to ten percent of the adult homeless population in Bavaria – around 2,200 individuals – could benefit from the model. Since 2018, Bavaria has supported pilot projects under the program “Assistance for the Homeless.” All 100 submitted proposals have been approved, with up to €4 million in funding available each year, according to the state social ministry.
Funding Uncertain Beyond 2026
Würzburg’s Housing First program is currently financed through EU funds, but this support will end in autumn 2026. Organizers are hoping the city will take over funding responsibilities. The local experience underscores just how transformative these programs can be, particularly for individuals like Bertram Gehringer. For him, housing offers more than just shelter: “It’s my home. I can close the door – and it stays closed. I can have guests over, even my grandchild. That’s the most beautiful part – the feeling of safety.” Gehringer believes Housing First is a real solution and a chance that many more people deserve.
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