Summer 2025: FSW increases places for homeless people in Vienna!

Summer 2025: FSW increases places for homeless people in Vienna!

Wien, Österreich - In Vienna, the winter package, which is coordinated and financed by the social affair in Vienna (FSW), was used by around 3,000 people between November 2024 and April 2025. This number remains almost constant compared to the previous winter package. The high load in the 13 emergency quarters and three heat rooms shows that the capacity limits were not exceeded during this time. So far, 3,400 reports have been registered via the FSW cold app through which passers-by can help homeless people in cold conditions.

social workers who are contacted via the app provide information about the offers of the winter package, distribute sleeping bags and help with the mediation of homeless help. The winter package is therefore an important support for homeless people in Vienna's cold months.

summer increases for vulnerable people

For the upcoming summer of 2025, the Social Easer Vienna plans to increase capacity in emergency quarters for particularly vulnerable homeless people. In addition to around 7,000 residential and care places, 278 places for individuals and 28 places for families in four emergency quarters will remain available up to the next winter package. This number is an increase of around 70 places for individuals compared to last year. In particular, the Caritas emergency quarters Meidling will receive special attention and offer sleeping places for 71 vulnerable people, supported by the city and the FSW.

The challenges of homelessness in Vienna are in line with a broader social problem. As Diakonie emphasizes, the causes of homelessness often include rent debts, economic emergencies or critical life events such as separations or illness. This situation often leads to social isolation and health problems. Knowledge of such backgrounds is crucial to help the affected people in a targeted manner.

versatile support from the Diakonie

The Diakonie, which provides approximately 800 offers nationwide to support homeless people, is committed to comprehensive care and advice. Your offer ranges from emergency accommodation to outstanding aids to day stays that provide showers and favorable meals. In addition, specialist advice centers offer support in the field of social benefits and help to maintain contact with authorities and to avoid rent debts.

There are also efforts to combat homelessness at the political level. The Federal Government's national action plan against homelessness (NAP W) aims to eliminate shelter and homelessness by 2030. Local obligations to accommodate homeless people play a crucial role, regardless of their social service claims.

Overall, the situation of housing and homelessness is not only an individual fate, but also raises social issues. The efforts of the city of Vienna and organizations such as the diakonia are the first steps in the right direction to effectively counter the problem and to enable those affected to live a dignified life.