FEAD 2018 Catalogue of case studies

Germany – Preventing homelessness Counselling centre for housing security (FAWOS) Images © Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock.com, 2018 WHY? Early intervention generally maximises the opportunities for a full and participatory life for people at risk of homelessness. Nevertheless, assistance is often offered solely once homelessness has already occurred. This is what prompted FAWOS to step in and identify and target those at risk of losing housing , due to rent arrears or other factors, in the German municipalities of Ludwigsburg, Kornwestheim, Korntal-Münchingen and Besigheim. WHAT? The FAWOS housing security centre fills a gap in the pre-existing support system, in cooperation with the municipalities, through the provision of timely advice and support to tenants in at-risk tenancies . The centre also advocates for the preservation of affordable and adequate housing at municipal level. Employees first assume a mediation role to try to salvage the housing relationship between tenants and property owners who are in conflict, and help to negotiate feasible terms. This includes setting up mediation sessions between landlords and tenants, as well as creating specific budget plans for repayments of overdue rent. If the existing housing relationship is no longer sustainable, FAWOS staff help tenants to find new apartment arrangements. HOW? The centre offers an open two-hour consultation in the town hall of each municipality every week. Making the consultation available in each community is important to ensure easy access, so that low-income tenants do not have to make the journey to the main office in Ludwigsburg. Occupants can drop in without an appointment. Many tenants come by way of referrals, through close cooperation with local police offices and other public municipal offices. Furthermore, if a property owner submits an eviction action for rent at the district court, the court is obliged to inform the locally responsible social service providers (job centre Diverse approaches to supporting Europe’s most deprived: FEAD case studies 2018 30