Asbestos Discovery Forces Evacuation of 100 Howoge Apartments in Berlin-Neukölln
Berlin, September 11, 2026 – The state-owned housing association Howoge has evacuated approximately 100 apartments in Berlin-Neukölln following the discovery of asbestos in a building hallway. The sudden relocation has drawn strong criticism from affected residents, who describe the process as chaotic and poorly communicated.
The discovery was made on Wednesday during ongoing renovation work in the High-Deck-Siedlung, specifically in buildings at Michael-Bohnen-Ring 12, 14, and 16. Howoge announced on Thursday that residents have been moved to alternative accommodations, including furnished apartments and hotel rooms.
Immediate Evacuation and Resident Complaints
According to Howoge, employees and social workers personally informed the affected tenants and assisted them with the temporary move. Contact details and further instructions were reportedly distributed in multiple languages. However, residents have painted a different picture, reporting to local media, including the “Tagesspiegel” and “Berliner Morgenpost,” that they received very short notice, leaving them with little time to pack personal belongings.
One resident quoted in the “Tagesspiegel” stated, “It’s outrageous what Howoge is putting its tenants through!” Tenants have also described their living conditions in the settlement as being “like in prison” even before the asbestos discovery, citing ongoing construction work that had turned their homes into a “major construction site” for weeks.
Long-Standing Issues and Criticisms of Howoge
The asbestos discovery is the latest in a series of grievances raised by residents of the High-Deck-Siedlung. The local initiative “Kiezinitiative High-Deck-Siedlung” had previously banded together to write an urgent letter detailing issues such as mold, broken windows, and malfunctioning heating systems. This letter was reportedly submitted to Howoge and Berlin politicians last week.
Christiane Quandt, spokesperson for the Kiezinitiative, told the “Tagesspiegel” that the presence of asbestos in the buildings had been known for weeks. She characterized the current situation as “evacuation chaos” that could have been avoided with better planning and communication from Howoge. The housing association has reportedly stated it is “willing to talk” and has offered to meet with the initiative.
Uncertainty for Residents as Further Tests are Conducted
The three interconnected buildings in question comprise a total of 241 apartments. Some residents had already temporarily moved out due to pipe renovations or by their own request, and other units were vacant. The asbestos contamination was detected during these ongoing renovation efforts.
Howoge has initiated further pollutant measurements in apartments and common areas. The company has stated that it is currently unclear when residents will be able to return to their homes. Until the results of these tests are available, affected apartments are only to be entered after prior consultation with Howoge.
The situation highlights broader concerns about housing conditions and tenant communication in Berlin, particularly within state-owned housing companies. The incident underscores the challenges faced by residents in older buildings undergoing renovation, especially when hazardous materials are discovered.
Sources: Berliner Morgenpost, Tagesspiegel, Howoge
