Filderstadt is planning new accommodation for over 100 refugees!

Filderstadt is planning new accommodation for over 100 refugees!

Filderstadt is planning to build new accommodation for refugees, which is being pushed forward by the city administration despite some concerns. This accommodation will be built on the outer edge of the commercial area in Bernhausen. The Filderstadt local council voted with a narrow majority in favor of the project, which will be located on a green area on the corner of Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße and Weidacher Straße, behind the Porsche Center. The new premises are designed as a modular building and offer space for around 105 people. This location previously housed temporary accommodation for the Esslingen district.

The decision to build this accommodation is part of a broader strategy; the city of Filderstadt will have to accommodate around 200 refugees in 2024. The conditions in the region are not without problems. Many refugees have already spent some time in Germany and acquired initial language skills, but finding adequate living space remains a challenge. However, the city administration has organized integration and orientation courses to make it easier for the new residents to arrive.

Modern accommodation in containers

In February 2024, the first refugees will move into the follow-up accommodation in Weilerhau in Filderstadt. This accommodation consists of 80 rental containers that can accommodate a maximum of 130 people. The containers were set up in four rows of buildings over an area measuring 30 by 50 meters. Each unit offers one-room modules of 17 m² for two people or two-room modules of 34 m² for a maximum of four people. The residential units are equipped with small bathrooms, lounges, mini kitchenettes as well as a loft bed and lockers.

The city of Filderstadt relies on accessibility and thermal insulation to make the stay pleasant for its residents. For hygienic needs, communal washrooms with ten washing machines each are available. In order to promote integration, training rooms and offices are provided for social services and integration courses. A 24-hour security service also ensures the safety of residents. Volunteer interpreters will support communication within the accommodation.

Accommodation challenges

Despite the various efforts, the existing challenges cannot be overlooked. The housing situation for many refugees in Germany has deteriorated since 2015. After initial reception, people are often assigned to shared accommodation, where living together is not always easy. This is one reason why many voices are calling for the abolition of large communal accommodation and for alternative living concepts. Civil society initiatives try to address these grievances and support refugees in finding accommodation, including through workshops and sponsorship projects.

The new accommodation in Filderstadt could not only mean an improvement for the refugees, but also contribute to improving the general housing situation in the region. The influx of refugees could even boost social housing construction in Germany in the long term. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what measures will be taken to further advance integration.

Further information on the measures and projects can be found on the websites of Stuttgarter Nachrichten, [Stadt Filderstadt].