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Homelessness in Berlin and how you can take action
Every winter, thousands of people sleep rough on Berlin’s streets. Whether you’ve just arrived or lived here for years, homelessness in Berlin is impossible to ignore. But there’s something concrete you can do: volunteering in Berlin and make a direct, human difference. In this article, you’ll discover the scale of homelessness in Germany, which projects are active in Berlin, and how to get started today.
Homelessness in Berlin
According to the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Wohnungslosenhilfe (BAG W, 2025), around 56,000 people in Germany are living on the streets without any shelter. More than half of those affected are refugees, minors and children constitute 8% of people living on the street.
Circa 6,000 to 10,000 people are currently living on the streets of Berlin, while around 50,000 people have no permanent home and are considered homeless, even though they don’t live on the street. Women, families, and migrants are hit the hardest — they are more frequently in danger of losing the roofs over their heads, even if they have rented apartments.
Affordable housing is becoming very rare in Germany. The housing market doesn’t cover actual demand, with 1.9 million affordable flats lacking nationwide. People are paying rents which are too high compared to their average incomes, and there is a strong need for more social housing construction and stronger rent control laws. If you want to understand the distinctions between poverty and homelessness more deeply, our article on the difference between poverty, homelessness, and rough sleeping breaks it down clearly.
Homeless Berlin: Who Is Most Affected?
Women, families, and migrants are hit the hardest by homelessness in Berlin. Those people are more frequently in danger of losing the roofs over their heads, even if they have rented apartments. People experiencing homelessness are not a homogeneous group — their situations, needs, and paths into homelessness differ enormously.
The causes are deeply structural: rents in Berlin have risen sharply over the past decade while incomes for many residents have not kept pace. Social housing stock remains inadequate, and rent control laws have so far been insufficient to reverse the trend. Recognising this complexity is essential if we want to support people effectively rather than reinforce stigma.
Homeless Shelters in Berlin: What Exists and Where the Gaps Are
Berlin has a network of homeless shelters and emergency facilities, particularly active during the colder months — including overnight shelters, day centres with warm meals and sanitary facilities, and counselling services. However, capacity is regularly stretched thin in winter, and many people choose not to use shelters for personal reasons.
This is exactly where volunteers make a crucial difference, reaching people who fall through the gaps of official services and providing food, warm clothing, and human connection. You don’t need professional training to get started — just reliability, empathy, and time. Browse GoVolunteer’s project search for homeless volunteering in Berlin to find the right project for you.
Projects Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness in Berlin
Several organisations in Berlin do outstanding work in this area and regularly rely on volunteers to keep running.
Rise Foundation e.V. is a Berlin-based charity running regular street outreach programmes, distributing plant-based food, hygiene items, and clothing to people living without a home. They work with rotating volunteer teams and welcome new members consistently — Rise Foundation e.V. was even recognised with the GoVolunteer “Ausgezeichnetes Engagement” seal, awarded by our advisory board to exceptional social projects. Read more in our article on volunteering with Rise Foundation in Berlin.
Berliner Obdachlosenhilfe organises weekly relief tours every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, with volunteers helping prepare and distribute hot meals and essential supplies across four locations: Leopoldplatz, Alexanderplatz, Kottbusser Tor, and (on Sundays) Hansaplatz. Both organisations are powerful examples of how community-led action fills the gaps that formal systems leave behind.
The Kältebus: Emergency Help on Cold Nights
When temperatures in Berlin drop below zero, the Kältebus becomes a lifeline. This service transports people sleeping rough to shelters across the city during winter, operating from 1 November to 31 March. If you spot someone sleeping outside in dangerously cold conditions, contact the Kältebus on (0178) 523 58-38.
One important note: always speak with the person first and ask whether they want to be picked up. Respecting someone’s autonomy is a core part of dignified support. In genuine medical emergencies, contact the ambulance service directly on 112.
Take Action Now
Homelessness in Berlin is urgent — but it’s also a place where individual action genuinely makes a difference. Whether you have two hours on a Saturday or want to commit to a regular volunteering slot, there is a place for you.
Not sure where to begin? Use our Wunsch-Ehrenamt tool to get personalised recommendations in just a few clicks. If you’re a non-German speaker looking for English-friendly volunteering, our guide to English volunteering in Berlin has everything you need.
Every person who chooses to get involved shifts the balance a little further toward solidarity. Let’s make that shift together.
