Hamburg: More Children Being Placed in Foster Families
Hamburg, June 14 – The number of children and young people being taken into foster families is on the rise in Hamburg. This positive development was announced by the Family Authority, which nonetheless emphasized that finding sufficient foster families remains a challenging task.
In 2025, Hamburg had 905 foster families, a slight increase from 876 in the previous year. Michaela Peponis, State Councillor for the Education and Family Authority, expressed optimism about this modest growth, referring to it as a “trend reversal” during a Family Committee meeting. The number of applicants interested in taking in foster children permanently has also seen a slight increase, with 63 families applying in 2025, ten more than in 2023.
Significant Increase in Emergency Foster Care Applications
A more substantial rise was observed in the number of individuals applying for emergency foster care, offering temporary homes for children. In 2025, 25 families were open to this, compared to 11 in 2024 and only eight in 2023. Peponis attributes this success to Hamburg’s initiative, launched last year, to provide foster families with a payment similar to parental allowance: 1,000 euros per month for a maximum of one year, in addition to the standard foster care allowance.
Furthermore, since 2023, Hamburg has significantly increased the portion of the foster care allowance allocated for educational costs. For permanent foster care, this amount has risen from 275 euros to 439 euros per month. For emergency foster care, the increase is even more substantial, from 963 euros to 2,195 euros per month.
Ongoing Demand for Foster Families
Despite these positive trends, Peponis highlighted the ongoing challenge of finding enough foster families. Many long-serving foster families are retiring due to age, and there is a growing need for foster families for an increasing number of children. For the city of Hamburg, placing children in foster families is considerably more cost-effective than housing them in child protection homes.
Florian’s Story: “The Foster Family Was My Salvation”
The importance of foster care is underscored by stories like Florian’s. At eight years old, Florian came under the care of the youth welfare office. Emergency foster care and then a permanent foster family provided him with a new home, which he describes as his “salvation.” This highlights the critical role foster families play in providing stability and care for vulnerable children.
The Broader Need: 4,000 Children Awaiting Families
The situation in Hamburg reflects a broader national need. Across Germany, approximately 4,000 children are awaiting foster families. The story of Lydia and Jakob from Osnabrück exemplifies dedication to this cause; they have taken in two foster children in addition to their biological child, describing it as a matter of the heart.
Hamburg’s Initiatives and Future Outlook
The city of Hamburg’s proactive approach, including financial incentives and increased educational cost allowances, demonstrates a commitment to strengthening its foster care system. While the “trend reversal” is encouraging, the continuous need for new foster families, especially as older ones retire, means the search for suitable caregivers remains a priority. The Family Authority continues its efforts to recruit and support foster families, recognizing their invaluable contribution to the well-being of children and the community.
