Drama in Erfurt: Fire in the old slaughterhouse hits the homeless!

Drama in Erfurt: Fire in the old slaughterhouse hits the homeless!

Erfurt, Deutschland - A dramatic event has agreed in the past few days. On June 17, a devastating fire broke out in the former slaughterhouse, which kept the fire brigade in suspense for over 24 hours. The black column of smoke was visible for miles and announced the disaster that developed. In the meantime, the flames have been deleted, but the consequences are devastating, especially for the homeless people who had been looking for refuge here for years. thueringen24.de reports that…

The city of Erfurt is aware of the sad situation. Around 40 homeless people lived on the site, which is now completely destroyed. Caritas director Philipp Nitsche commented concernly about the hard loss of those affected who lost sleeping bags, clothing and personal belongings. In order to offer help in need, Caritas calls for solidarity and donations. The city administration is already in contact with those affected to organize voluntary removals to secure accommodations.

Transitional solutions and planned new development

As a temporary solution, the city has provided a lawn within the runway of the old slaughterhouse, on which mobile toilets and possibly tents are available. Mayor Heike Langguth (independent) has also announced plans for the new building of the area, which is expected to include a market hall, apartments and a school campus by 2029 at the latest. The site in the Efurt east extends over 22,000 square meters, on which only the walls of the former buildings are still, while Dächer is badly damaged. mdr.de reports that ...

Langguth emphasizes that the city is looking for a new area for the remaining homeless people who have to leave the site in June. It emphasizes that many homeless people want to live in such a way and that the social offers of help are often associated with strict rules, which they hold from the accommodation in the “House of House”, where drugs and alcohol are prohibited.

nationwide strategies against homelessness

As part of the constant efforts to fight homelessness in Germany, the Federal Government aims to overcome this problem by 2030. The national action plan, which was decided in April 2024, describes various measures to combat homelessness. This includes record investments in social housing and the reform of housing benefit, which results in an increase in average housing benefit by 55 %. [bmwsb.bund.de informs about…] (https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/webs/bmwsb/de/themen/stadt-wohnen/nap- against Wohnlosch

For those affected in Erfurt, it is now important that both the city administration and the community work together on solutions to create alternative accommodation and long -term living opportunities. A homeless person who has been living without his own apartment for 20 years reflects how positive his little gardening with herbs and pumpkins is for him. But the dangers on the old slaughterhouse area by half -covered shafts are obvious. It is to be hoped that passable solutions will soon be found that offer these people not only accommodation, but also a perspective.