Hamburg, March 27, 2026 – The Hamburg Social Authority has introduced two new comprehensive support programs for the city’s homeless population, aiming to provide enhanced care and stable living conditions. These initiatives come as the winter emergency program, which housed approximately 700 homeless individuals, concludes.
New Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic for Homeless Individuals
As of April 1, Asklepios Klinik Nord/Ochsenzoll will operate a new psychiatric outpatient clinic specifically for homeless individuals. Located in a former office building on Repsoldstraße, the clinic aims to stabilize severely mentally ill homeless people and facilitate their return to treatment and support. Social Senator Melanie Schlotzhauer stated, “This will help us break recurring crises and create reliable prospects for those affected. It will also relieve the pressure on districts around the main train station.”
The clinic is equipped to treat up to 80 patients who do not need to provide health insurance coverage. The Social Authority will cover the operating costs, estimated at around 800,000 Euros.
“Pik As” Shelter Renovated and Expanded with Lifelong Housing
The “Pik As” emergency shelter, which underwent over two years of renovation and expansion, has now integrated a unique housing project for elderly, partially chronically ill homeless men. This project provides 33 individuals with a “lifelong place” – a secure home until their death, a provision previously only available in Bergedorf.
The renovated section of the “Pik As” shelter, originally built in 1913, will now accommodate up to 290 homeless individuals in predominantly two- to three-bed rooms. The facility, located in Hamburg’s Neustadt, also includes an integrated doctor’s practice for homeless and roofless individuals. Additionally, there are single rooms available for those whose psychological condition prevents them from being housed in multi-bed rooms.
In September 2025, the youth welfare organization Jugendhilfe e.V. also opened 30 transitional housing units for individuals with substance abuse issues on another floor of the Repsoldstraße building.
Addressing the Broader Challenges of Homelessness
These new initiatives underscore Hamburg’s commitment to addressing the complex challenges faced by its homeless population. By offering specialized psychiatric care and stable, long-term housing solutions, the city aims to improve the quality of life for its most vulnerable residents.
The introduction of these services is particularly timely as the colder months end, and many individuals previously housed in the winter emergency program will be returning to the streets. The comprehensive nature of these new offerings, from medical care to permanent housing, represents a significant step forward in homeless support within Hamburg.
Source: https://www.hinzundkunzt.de/hamburg-will-obdachlosen-besser-helfen/
