Overview
- Homelessness advocates warn that freezing temperatures pose an immediate, life‑threatening danger for people on the street.
- Berlin’s emergency capacity is far below need, with 1,144 places available for roughly 6,000 people experiencing homelessness.
- Mobile outreach teams are distributing hot drinks, food and warm gear, and Berlin’s cold‑weather buses continued operating using borrowed vehicles after arson attacks.
- Service providers report limited stocks of sleeping bags and warm clothing and urge the public to donate and to call 112 if someone appears unresponsive.
- Deutsche Bahn told staff not to evict homeless people during extreme cold in Oberhausen, and local shelters there are offering round‑the‑clock beds and relaxing admission rules.