The 2022 annual report of the overnight shelter for homeless women in Leipzig is available. According to the report, the number of women staying overnight there fell slightly last year, but has risen sharply over the past ten years. More and more women were no longer managing to live self-sufficiently, the operator of the overnight shelter, Advent-Wohlfahrtswerk e. V. (AWW) in Germany, said in a press release.
In 2022, 145 women used the overnight shelter for homeless women in Leipzig at least once, a facility with 24 beds. Although there were eight fewer women than in 2021, the number of overnight stays increased by about 77 percent over the ten years, it said. Many women stayed for just one night, others for up to several months. On averagen50 days a year. Some women have been staying there for years, however, the AWW said.
From all age groups and social classes
Homelessness affects women of all ages, with the 26- to 45-year-old group being the most represented, it said. "The women come from all social classes, not only from Leipzig but from all over Germany. Many are just passing through. About 15 percent of the women came from the EU and third countries. A total of 16 nations were represented, with about one in five having a migration background," according to the press release. 38 percent of the women received a social security allowance, about 22 percent earned their living through income such as disability and old-age pensions or through gainful employment, and more than 40 percent had no regular income at all. This trend is on the rise.
A variety of reasons for admission to the overnight shelter
Reasons for admission to the overnight shelter include an increase in terminations of rental contracts without notice due to behavior in violation of the contract (from 8 percent to 19 percent in 2022). Similarly, separation from a partner or conflicts with family or friends and acquaintances and the subsequent expulsion from the apartment (the woman’s name not being included in the lease) are reasons for homelessness. Other reasons are longer inpatient hospital stays, no accommodation in specialized emergency shelters for drug addicts, release from prison, transients, temporary homelessness due to apartment fire or water damage, loss of keys, and such.
Nearly 80 percent of the women also have health problems, he said. "Many of them exhibit behavioral problems or are mentally ill. In most cases, these women are neither in medical treatment nor do they have the necessary insight into illness and treatment. Addictive disorders (alcohol and drugs) also play a role in about a quarter of the women. Disabilities or pregnancies play a rather minor role," the press release states.
Further support
Even though the provision of a clean and safe place to sleep, and the opportunity to rest and secure a financial livelihood have priority at first, the employees also want to support the women on their way back to a self-determined life with gainful employment and their own apartment. This also includes arranging suitable support structures, therapies, or treatments.
The work in the overnight shelter is extremely challenging and emotionally stressful for the staff. For this reason, appropriate work structures and offers or measures of self-care are indispensable. In any case, all employees deserve full recognition for their service in the facility for women in need, according to the AWW.
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