Overview
- DRK runs two warmth buses nightly from 18:00 to 24:00, and the Stadtmission dispatches three from 20:00 to 02:00, with past cold snaps bringing about 120 calls in a night.
- Emergency capacity is strained, with 1,144 seasonal beds in Berlin versus an estimated 6,000 people experiencing homelessness, and sites often report no space by late night.
- Outreach teams describe life‑threatening exposure and transport people to beds when available, yet some decline shelters due to distrust or bad prior experiences.
- The Paritätischer Gesamtverband and VdK call for immediate, low‑threshold warm spaces and sufficient funding for providers to prevent cold‑related deaths.
- After arson attacks on three Stadtmission vehicles in the past week, with a suspect arrested, services continue and the public is urged to check on people, call 112 for emergencies, and use Kältebus hotlines (DRK 030‑600300‑1010, Stadtmission 030‑690‑333‑690).