Municipality initiates structural improvements for homeless shelter accommodations in Münster.
Got some scrappy joints on Dammstraße, Münster? They're gonna become sleeping quarters for the city's homeless population!
City hall's plan is to give two crumbling buildings on Dammstraße the love they need, turning them into a much-needed temporary shelter for the city's less fortunate residents. The rundown houses are old and have seen better days, but a little TLC and a chill budget should get 'em back on their feet for the next decade or so.
On June 3, 2025, the city administration will swing by the Münster-Mitte district assembly to throw out a resolution about this puppy. The environmental protection, climate protection, and urban development committee will be the ones to make the final call on the 25th.
These houses, sandwiched between Hafenstraße, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße, and the railway tracks, have more holes than Swiss cheese. At one point, there was talk of adding them to the scrap heap, but with a recent city council decision on May 21, they got a reprieve. The redevelopment plan for the Hafenstraße/Albersloher Weg traffic junction was put on hold, so the buildings can be saved after all.
Rising Homeless Numbers
It's no secret that the number of homeless folks in Münster and across the nation has been climbing for years. People lose their homes for various reasons, but the ones on lower incomes feel the sting the most thanks to the fierce housing market and skyrocketing rents. As of January 21, 2025, over 2,200 people in Münster were without a roof over their heads, although many of them were staying in municipal facilities or short-term digs.
Even those with steady gigs are finding themselves relying on homeless services more and more. Despite the tireless work of good Samaritans and city officials, the number of long-term residents in temporary accommodations is growing. This can have serious consequences - especially for kids and workers.
57 Homeless Havens
The planned renovation of the Dammstraße 1 and 3 buildings could provide up to 57 temporary homes in 13 cozy apartments. Most of these accommodations will serve as a stepping stone for people ready to make a beeline for permanent housing. Plus, there'll be two offices set up for social workers to do their thing.
In the past, the city's had to shell out big bucks to rent hotel rooms for the homeless - a hella expensive 85 euros per night, per person, totaling over 30,000 euros a year!
Cheap Fix (No Wheelchair Access)
The cost of renovating these two buildings clocks in at around 1.3 million euros. The goal is to make the beaten-up buildings habitable for at least a decade - despite the leaks, mold, and structural issues. They won't be adding wheelchair-friendly amenities because the extra dough for the short term isn't seen as worth it. Construction's scheduled to kick off in the summer of 2025.
### Similar Projects:
- Melanchthonschule in Coerde: New Construction on the Horizon?
- City of Münster Eyes Galeria Building for Expansion
- City Council Greenlights Galeria Building Purchase
The city council's decision to renovate the run-down buildings on Dammstraße will not only provide temporary housing for the city's homeless population but also contribute to the overall personal-finance budget by reducing the expense of renting hotel rooms. This move aligns with the city's strategy for improving the lifestyle of its residents, extending beyond just home-and-garden projects.
In the wake of the increasing homeless numbers in Münster, these renovated buildings could potentially house up to 57 people, marking a significant step towards addressing the issue of homelessness in the city. This project falls under the realm of social development, a crucial aspect of the city's urban development plan.
Despite the budget-friendly approach of the Dammstraße project, it's worth considering accessibility improvements in future renovation projects for the welfare of all residents, keeping in mind the diverse needs of the city's population. This could be a focus in other finance-related projects, such as the potential new construction at Melanchthonschule in Coerde.
