Housing shortage in Freising: women's shelter is allowed to expand, but can't find a house - worry about the winter months

Created: 10/27/2022, 12:00 p.m

By: Magdalena Hoecherl

The relationship is in tatters: the energy crisis and inflation burden the everyday lives of many families.

More and more women are seeking protection from domestic violence.

Symbolic image © Sebastian Gollnow

The women's shelter in the district of Freising is bursting at the seams.

Manager Christina Binder looks worried towards winter.

Because the inquiries are increasing – and there is no solution in sight.

District

– More and more women in the district of Freising are looking for protection from domestic violence.

But the capacities of the women's shelter, which is run by the Diakonie, are far below what is needed.

"In 2021 we had 130 requests for places, but could only accept 19 women and 26 children," reports Christina Binder, board member of the Diakonie.

And she fears: "It could get worse this winter."

Women cannot move out because they cannot find an apartment

According to Binder, inquiries have been increasing again for some time.

This is a trend that can be seen across Germany.

Her explanation: “In view of the question of how to cope with everyday life with the energy crisis and inflation, the situation in many families is becoming more tense.

In relationships that are already violent, the emotional tension increases even more.”

We had a tiny breather over the summer.

"On the one hand, this was due to fewer inquiries and, on the other hand, to the fact that we actually found apartments for some women," says Binder.

That is the biggest challenge in the Munich metropolitan area.

Because even when women who had sought protection in the facility are ready to build their own lives again, they often fail to find affordable housing for them.

The situation was further exacerbated by the fact that people seeking protection were also looking for a place to stay in the Freising district as a result of the war against Ukraine.

"And now, of course, with the cost of living rising, it's not getting any easier."

(By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Freising newsletter.)

The Diakonie can sing a song about the already precarious situation on the housing market for years.

Efforts have been made to expand the support facility for a long time.

In the spring of 2021, the district council then approved an increase from five to eight places, including 16 places for children.

But in order to realize this, a new, larger building is needed.

"Unfortunately, we haven't found that yet," says Binder.

Although both the district and the city provided active support.

We are looking for a single house or two terraced houses with at least 300 square meters, ideally with several small bathrooms and - for security reasons - in a central location.

“Last time we would have found an ideal house that would even offer space for ten women.

However, the monthly rent is 20,000 euros - that's beyond good and evil,"

“Fortunately no cases with hidden GPS trackers yet”

But even if a suitable property is found soon, it would probably not meet the demand either.

“But we are well networked and can switch to other districts from time to time,” says Binder.

In addition, women can find support and advice in the case of domestic and sexualised violence at the “HilDa” specialist agency – help is here.

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At least there is good news: Unlike in the neighboring district of Erding, for example, Freising does not have to deal with the issue of stalking more intensively.

"Fortunately, we haven't had any cases with hidden GPS trackers or the like," says Binder.

But she also emphasizes: “We have a security concept that has been worked out in detail, particularly with regard to digitization, and which is constantly being updated.”

You can find more current news from the district of Freising at Merkur.de/Freising.