Corona special fund: 4 million euros for a new retirement home in Bismark

Corona special fund: 4 million euros for a new retirement home in Bismark

There are new developments in the discussion about the distribution of Corona aid funds in Saxony-Anhalt. So far, a total of 143 million euros have been spent from the state's Corona special fund. That sounds like a lot, but the actual outflow of funds is slower than expected. A total of around two billion euros will be available by the end of 2027 to cushion the economic and social consequences of the corona pandemic MDR reports.

A practical example of the use of these funds can be seen in the Stendal district, where the Bismark Diakonieverein needs special support. The home for dementia patients, which has been operating in the “House of the Senses” since the 1990s, has had to overcome significant challenges during the pandemic. The country's Minister of Social Affairs, Petra Grimm-Benne, recently presented a funding check for around four million euros to improve the living conditions of the residents.

Projects and challenges

Andreas Cosmar, the deacon and home director, emphasizes the need for this support. Without the financial resources from the special fund, the construction of a new retirement home would not have been possible. The original budget was 2.5 million euros, but due to rising costs the funding was increased to four million euros. It is noteworthy that 90 percent of these costs are borne by the state, which means considerable relief for the institution.

Construction work on the new retirement home began at the beginning of October 2025 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. This project is part of a larger program that also includes measures to purchase a vaccination mobile and equip universities with air filter systems. Overall, the “Housing and Care” program has a volume of 154.9 million euros, with all 101 main applications for this program having already been approved.

Criticism of the distribution of funds

But not everyone is satisfied with the distribution of funds. Ralf Seibicke from the Taxpayers' Association criticizes the interest expenses, which could increase to 420 million euros in 2026. He sees the continued declaration of an emergency as abusive and warns of the long-term financial consequences for the country.

Similar to the majority of people experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19, health support leaders hope that the new facilities and programs will help sustainably address the challenges brought on by the pandemic. COVID-19 remains a serious issue and even if most infected people recover without hospitalization, the need for action in the health system remains high - as the WHO shows in its data. People experiencing serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or confusion, are strongly advised to seek immediate medical attention. The most common symptoms that may occur are fever, cough and fatigue, while more serious symptoms require immediate action, according to findings WHO.

Andreas Cosmar plans to complete the construction project by the time he retires. Financing has been secured, but it remains to be seen how the distribution of funding will develop in the future.