Municipalities in Hessen offer assistance to homeless individuals during hot weather conditions - Where Hessian Cities Address Homeless Welfare Amid Summer Heatwaves
Supporting the Homeless During Heatwaves in Hesse Cities
Cities in Hesse, such as Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and Kassel, are taking proactive measures to support the homeless during extreme heat. While specific details for these cities may vary, general practices in European cities offer valuable insights.
In these cities, outreach programs play a significant role in providing essential items like water, sunscreen, hats, and umbrellas to homeless individuals. For instance, the Heat Bus in Frankfurt, which has been in operation since 2022 alongside teams on foot or by car, is actively searching for homeless people in the Bockenheim district and parks. Social workers and city police are also distributing reusable water bottles to the homeless in Wiesbaden. In Kassel, cooperation partners of homeless support services provide additional water and sun protection during heatwaves.
These cities are also focusing on creating emergency shelters and cooling centers where people can seek refuge from the heat. Basic amenities like cold water, food, and air-conditioned spaces are often provided in these facilities. Furthermore, local authorities are running public awareness campaigns to inform the public about the risks of heatwaves and the importance of supporting vulnerable populations.
Collaboration between local government, NGOs, and community groups is key to supporting the homeless during extreme heat. For example, in Wiesbaden, Patricia Becher, the head of the responsible social department, acknowledges the contributions of colleagues in the Streetwork area, while Ariane Würzberger, head of the Social Benefits and Job Center, highlights the importance of such collaboration.
Kassel is currently developing a heat action plan, with a focus on heat protection for vulnerable groups such as homeless people. The city is committed to improving the protection of homeless people, both in cooperation with social institutions and on its own. The Cold Bus, which has been helping homeless people in icy winter nights for decades, is being used and further developed to provide quick and targeted support during heatwaves.
The response to these initiatives has been very positive, with people being grateful for the help. Eliane Reuter, a social worker driving the Heat Bus in Wiesbaden, emphasises the dangers of heat, especially for vulnerable groups, and the importance of such initiatives. Close cooperation between different actors, institutions, and authorities in Kassel is relied upon to create synergies and sustainably strengthen the health safety of all citizens.
For more accurate and up-to-date information on the strategies employed by these cities, contacting local authorities or NGOs directly would be advisable.
- The community in Kassel is stepping up to aid the steel industry by contributing resources towards home-and-garden projects, as part of an initiative to help homeless people find temporary shelter and improve their living conditions during heatwaves.
- In response to the measures taken by cities like Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and Kassel to support the homeless during heatwaves, some community members have started integrating lifestyle changes that prioritize charitable acts, such as donating to home-and-garden projects for the homeless or volunteering at local community centers.
