Anyone out and about in the city in the evening knows the picture: Homeless people who want to find at least some protection from the cold spend the night in house entrances or in shops, especially when it’s cold outside. The number of people living on the street in Cologne has increased in recent years. According to estimates, there are over 6,000 homeless people in Cologne.
Especially when temperatures dip below freezing, everyone in the city should keep an eye out. The so-called winter aid has been in effect in Cologne for 19 years now. Here you can see the most important offers that are available in Cologne by the city in cooperation with independent organizations:
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Winter aid for the homeless in Cologne
As part of the winter aid, there are a total of 72 bed places at Ostmerheimer Straße 220 in Cologne-Merheim, twelve of which are for women. These beds are in addition to the existing emergency beds in the city of Cologne. The opening hours for overnight stays are every day from 19:00 in the evening until 8:00 the following day.
Accommodation is freely accessible, but can also be arranged through the housing department of the Office for Social Affairs, Labor and the Elderly or by forwarding it to sponsors/initiatives, street work, police, KVB, public order office, station mission or other emergency shelters.
Day stay for the homeless in Cologne
In addition to the bed, there is also the possibility of a day stay on site, possible from 8:00 to 19:00. Homeless people have the opportunity to shower, wash and dry their clothes during the day. There is also a hot meal and hot drinks.
Homeless people can then stay on the site for 24 hours.
Cold corridors and winter helpline Cologne
As in previous years, cool walks with the participation of street workers are planned in the area of the city of Cologne. In the early evening hours, employees of the city of Cologne and voluntary organizations are looking for places in the center of Cologne that have been reported via the winter helpline or are known to sleep if temperatures continue to drop below freezing (from two evenings below). People met will be informed on the spot of the support offered by the city.
This year, Catholic Men’s Social Service is offering 24-hour availability through its Winter Helpline:
- Cologne winter helpline: 0221 / 56 09 73 10
The winter helpline accepts information about homeless people staying in their beds in winter temperatures. So if you see homeless people out in the cold at night, call this number.
If someone is in serious danger, you should call 911.
Cold bus Cologne
The cold bus is provided by the association “Friends of Cologne’s streets and their inhabitants”.
The contact details are:
You can Everyday von from 18:00 to 23:00 contact us on the telephone numbers provided.
Please note that cold bus employees may not be able to take your call while you are driving. In this case, however, you will be called back immediately as soon as employees are available. Please note that suppression of your phone number is deactivated.
accommodation of dogs
The Cologne animal welfare association in Cologne-Zollstock is once again offering overnight places for the dogs of the homeless. Ten places per night are available for dogs. Dog owners can bring their dogs in the evening until 18:00 or between 20:00 and 21:00.
The dogs spend the night in a heated kennel (underfloor heating) and are provided with food and water. Dogs can be collected from 7am each morning. Please make a short telephone arrangement on 0221 / 38 18 58.
Donate warm clothes for the homeless in Cologne
You can deliver well-preserved and warm winter clothes to:
Catholic Men’s Social Service e. v
Promontory Road 22
50677 Cologne
How else can I help?
In conversation with the Domradio In 2019 the auxiliary bishop of Cologne, Ansgar Puff (later released), gave simple advice that anyone can follow – even without making a donation:
“I think the most important thing is to convey to them that they have value and dignity. That means that you have a moment for them, that you listen, that you don’t just push them away, that you try to understand.
Auxiliary Bishop Ansgar Puff
The people of Cologne leave no one alone. Take care of each other.
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