Refugee accommodation in Falkensee: District plans to dismantle it by 2027!

Refugee accommodation in Falkensee: District plans to dismantle it by 2027!

A fundamental change in the accommodation of refugees is imminent in the Havelland district. As District Administrator Roger Lewandowski (CDU) announced in the district council in Rathenow, the refugee accommodation in Falkensee is to be dismantled. This decision comes as no surprise, as the container facility, which offers space for 400 people, is currently only 20 percent occupied. In view of the persistently high vacancy rate and the low allocation of refugees, the district feels forced to take this step.

This year, a total of 309 refugees were assigned to the district, but only 115 of them were actually accommodated in the facility. The widespread accommodation of various nationalities, including Afghanistan, Türkiye, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Morocco and Vietnam, makes the situation all the more urgent. In order to minimize the costs of the vacancy, the district has decided not to extend the lease for the site, which runs until 2027. Once the contract expires, the property will be returned to the owner.

The path to accommodation and its challenges

More than a year ago, District Administrator Lewandowski pointed out the need for suitable land to accommodate refugees. The municipalities were asked to offer suitable areas or buildings, but the reactions remained rather timid. The property on Spandauer Straße in Falkensee, which was considered for shared accommodation, at least offers an approach. The district has an obligation to accept refugees in accordance with the state reception law, but there is a lack of a stable allocation level.

The majority of people admitted to the district have the prospect of remaining; However, the accommodation will probably only be used temporarily. The security concepts are developed in collaboration with the police to create a safe environment for residents. Despite the high investment of around 5 million euros for the construction of the accommodation, insulation and dismantling of the containers, subsequent use could be ruled out due to legal regulations.

Prospects for the future

The district is required to relocate all current residents to other accommodation by the end of 2027. This challenge entails not only social but also infrastructural requirements. Similar approaches can also be observed in other regions, as the example from Munich shows. There, asylum seekers are registered in initial reception centers and then accommodated in shared accommodation run by the districts.

Whether in Falkensee or elsewhere, the issue of accommodating refugees remains an important issue. The district bears responsibility for the migrant communities and at the same time faces major practical challenges. It will be exciting to see how the situation will develop in the coming months.