The Berlin Asylum Association for the Homeless

The debate about homelessness in the German Empire

Winfried Ripp reads from his book "Der Berliner Asyl-Verein für Obdachlose. Die Auseinandersetzung um die Obdachlosigkeit im Kaiserreich" (Metropol-Verlag). The study is dedicated to the history of the Berlin Asylum Association, which was founded in 1868, emerged from a civic initiative and was one of the most important institutions for the care of the poor in the German Empire.

The focus is on the question of how homelessness was perceived, politically negotiated and practically organized in the 19th century. The book not only traces the institutional development of the association, but also sheds light on the social conflicts, moral concepts and regulatory interests that determined how homelessness was dealt with.

Ripp's book focuses in particular on the Berlin asylums themselves - their structures, their everyday life and the people who used them. One of the most important houses was located in Büschingstraße in Friedrichshain. The curator of this asylum and chairman of the association was Paul Singer, who played a decisive role in shaping its work.

The Paul Singer Association supported the publication.Translated with DeepL

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