Munich native Christian once worked full-time at some of the many restaurants around the city. However, his propensity for a drink or two to unwind after work spiraled out of control.

He eventually lost everything and ended up on the streets.

Christian's story is not dissimilar to that of many across Germany who are sleeping rough.

According to Germany's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, some 263,000 people are considered homeless, which includes staying in emergency shelters, temporarily with friends or out on the streets. Organizations working directly with the homeless argue that the number is almost double that.

Werena Rosenke, managing director of the Federal Working Group for Homeless (BAG), says government figures were only collected on a single specific date in 2022.

She tells CGTN: "We as BAG homeless aid did our own assessment for the year, including the people who become homeless before and after that specific date and we estimated approximately 420,000 over the course of the year."

This makes Germany the European country with the highest number of homeless.

Lack of affordable housing

Some of those without a permanent address suffer from mental illness or addiction, making it difficult for them to hold down a job. Others come from abusive situations at home.

But "the most important reason" why people end up on the streets, says Rosenke, "is termination, so if someone is evicted from their apartment and can't find a new affordable apartment."

Germany currently has a housing crisis, whereby there is not enough affordable accommodation for all. The arrival of millions of migrants to the country since 2015, job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rent price hikes due to the highest inflation rate in 70 years, have dramatically increased the need for affordable housing.

This is also what the House on Chiemgaustraße is calling for. This men's shelter in southwest Munich offers respite from the streets for upwards of 68 men with difficult backgrounds – including Christian – where they can also receive medical, psychiatric and social help to eventually get them back onto their feet and into a home of their own again.

But "you can't find an apartment in Munich," says Christian as he scrolls through a listing of subsidized housing offered by the city. "Rents are so high. I think I've already applied for 400 places and only got one viewing invitation."

Director of the House on Chiemgaustraße, Eva Fundel, argues that "a lot of institutions, a lot of efforts are being made to assist the homeless, but they simply need more affordable apartments."

She cites the "housing first" approach whereby permanent housing is prioritized, where troubled individuals are offered a stable platform to deal with the social or substance abuse issues affecting them.

"It's so much harder living on the streets," she says. "If you are homeless you are exposed to everyone day and night. We definitely need affordable living space. Then we can start with projects like 'housing first' where we put someone in an apartment and then give them the tools they need – addiction help, psychiatry and other things."

In addition, these organizations are calling for governments to enact better rent and eviction control, so that those such as Christian, and struggling families, can build stable and meaningful futures.

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