Cold weather relief to begin in October with over 600 spots

Especially last January and February, many people sought shelter as temperatures remained below freezing. (File photo)

As the cold season begins, the Berliner Kältehilfe program is once again taking in homeless people.

The official start date for the cold relief season is October 1, according to an announcement by LIGA, the coalition of leading independent welfare organizations. During the particularly cold months from November through March, approximately 1,000 beds are expected to be available. As announced at a press conference, the program will begin in October with approximately 670 beds.

Cold-weather assistance is one of several key components

"We want to make sure that no one has to get through this winter without protection," said Social Services Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD). According to welfare organizations, however, cold-weather assistance is only one important component of emergency housing aid. "The central social policy challenge remains homelessness, which is often linked to other problems," the joint statement reads.

High capacity utilization last year

According to the Social Services department, occupancy rates at the cold-weather shelters last winter were over 90 percent, peaking at around 96 percent. Many people sought shelter, particularly last January and February, due to persistent sub-zero temperatures.