Homelessness; Use of Support Services to Prevent It

If, for whatever reason (e.g., due to an eviction lawsuit), you are at risk of becoming homeless because you are unable, through your own efforts—particularly by using your own material or financial resources or by taking advantage of other assistance programs—to secure adequate housing in a reasonable manner, you should contact your local municipality as soon as possible. There, measures can be explored to prevent you from becoming homeless. In addition, your local municipality can provide you with information about the wide range of available solutions. The same applies if you have already become homeless due to a sudden event (e.g., a fire in your home).

In the event that no other option is available and you must be temporarily placed by the municipality in emergency housing—which could, for example, be a residential container—we would like to draw your attention to the following:

Accommodation provided by the municipality is always only a temporary measure. The emergency shelter must therefore only meet the minimum requirements for humane living conditions. According to established case law, when accommodation is provided as part of homeless assistance, you must accept significant restrictions on your housing entitlements. You cannot demand “housing-like accommodations.”  

If you are currently experiencing homelessness, please contact City Hall as soon as possible using the contact information below. Outside of City Hall’s business hours, please report to the nearest police station.

Phone: 09131 86 2387 or 09131 86 2810

Email: wohnungslosenhilfe@stadt.erlangen.de

Accommodation in a municipal emergency shelter (= temporary housing) is only a temporary measure and is therefore generally provided for a limited period. Residents are required to make efforts to find alternative, permanent housing or an apartment.

We can assist you with this, for example, by helping you submit a housing application to the city’s housing placement office.

Imminent homelessness or a history of homelessness with no prospect of finding new housing.

Contact the relevant municipality as soon as possible.

• Identification card or passport
• Proof of legal residence in Germany (residence permit)
  for foreign asylum seekers
• Income Documentation
  (Pay stubs, notices regarding unemployment benefits or basic income, or proof of application for unemployment benefits or basic income; most recent pension notice(s) or statements; proof of receipt of or application for welfare benefits; proof of sick pay or proof of having applied for sick pay, a notice regarding child-rearing allowance or proof of having applied for child-rearing allowance, proof of child benefit or proof of having applied for child benefit, etc.)
• Proof of Debt
• Loan Agreements
• Garnishments
• Proof of child support payments
• Child Support Agreements
• Appropriate documentation demonstrating acute homelessness
  e.g., eviction lawsuit, eviction judgment (court order); notice from a bailiff regarding the date of forced eviction; other proof of loss of housing
• Application for Social Assistance (if applicable)