Cold temperatures How you can help Bonn’s homeless

BONN · As the weather gets colder in these days, with freezing temperatures approaching at night, homeless people become especially vulnerable. Here are some resources available to support them and what you can do to help.

Winter is not far away and temperatures are already dropping near the freezing point at night. The cold weather is particularly dangerous for the homeless. The city of Bonn has put out an appeal to citizens to be aware of those in need and to call for help in case of an emergency.

Police can be reached around the clock by anyone who might have information about a homeless person in need help. As well, concerned citizens can call the hotline of the Ordnungsamt (Bureau for Public Order) Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m., as well as on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m.: (0228) 773333. Employees there can be contacted by e-mail at stadtordnungsdienst@bonn.de.

Homeless shelters

Homeless men in Bonn can find refuge around the clock in the emergency shelter at the Caritas Association's Prälat-Schleich-Haus on Thomastraße 36. They have the possibility to stay overnight and have meals there. Every day from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Caritas also offers the homeless a day stay in the City-Station in the building. On cold frosty nights, the offer is also available.

Another possibility is the Verein für Gefährdetenhilfe (VFG- Association to Help the Vulnerable) which operates the emergency shelter 'Haus Sebastian' at Sebastianstraße 131 for the City of Bonn. Up to 80 women and men can be accommodated here if they have not yet been admitted or are no longer admitted to other facilities of the Bonner Wohnungslosenhilfe (Bonn Assistance for the Homeless).

Admission there is only possible with a referral, however. This is issued by the Office for Social Affairs and Housing, Stadthaus, Berliner Platz 2, floor 3C, on Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Outside of these hours, those in need can obtain a one-time referral from Bonn City Police and Ordnungsamt (GABI) at Maximilianstraße 32.

The VFG also offers a contact café as a meeting place, where homeless and those with addictions, primarily drug addicts, can warm up and have a chat. As well, breakfast and a hot meal are offered.

Material donations

According to the VFG, donations of items such as sleeping mats or sleeping bags are needed time and again. For information about the current need, one can call 0228/7259126.

The Caritas Association's Help for the Homeless is also happy to accept donations of sleeping mats and sleeping bags at the gate of the Prälat-Schleich-Haus.

(Orig. text: ga.de; Translation: ck)

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