Housing Policy and Social Services in Mannheim: Challenges and Initiatives in February 2026

Housing Shortage and Migration: A Growing Challenge

Mannheim remains a destination for refugees from Ukraine and other conflict regions in February 2026. As of the end of January 2026, 2,074 people were accommodated in municipal shelters, with asylum accommodations at 95% capacity. The PulsM at Columbus was fully occupied (671 people), and the Boardinghouse reached a 90% occupancy rate (152 people).

The city is responding to the increasing demand by continuously expanding its capacity. In 2026, an additional 600 places are planned, including 200 new housing units in the construction project at Edisonstraße 4–6, 300 in MoWa, and 85 in Spreewald EG. Nevertheless, a deficit of 400 missing places remains, showing that the demand for housing for refugees still exceeds the available supply.

Strengthening Social Services for Integration: Duha e.V. in Action

In the Committee for Economy, Work, and Social Affairs, the association Duha e.V. was introduced, which has been supporting people with disabilities, children, youth, and families since 2013. The organization is a key actor in Mannheim's social infrastructure, particularly within the German-Turkish community.

Duha's work is focused on culturally sensitive support and accompaniment, with a special emphasis on people with a migration background. The organization relies on a strong network of volunteers – of 146 employees, 80 are volunteers. Currently, Duha supports 120 families in the Rhein-Neckar region and is working on projects such as reading promotion for people with disabilities or animal-assisted interventions.

Social Economy: Innovation in the Social Sector

Another highlight in February 2026 was the presentation of the Social Economy Cluster within the committee. The goal of the cluster is to strengthen social enterprises in Mannheim and the metropolitan region. In Germany, there are already 156,000–172,000 such enterprises, generating annual revenues of 72–82 billion euros and employing 3–3.4 million people.

Mannheim wants to use the Social Economy Cluster not only to strengthen local initiatives but also to increase its visibility beyond the region. The Social Economy Center Altes Volksbad serves as a hub for startups, coworking, and further training. The cluster is part of a broader network that is European (ESER, Policy Learning Platform Europe), national (City Network for Social Entrepreneurship), and local.

Transportation Services for People with Disabilities: Safety and Inclusion

Another topic addressed in the meeting was the approval of transportation services for people with disabilities. In the 2026/2027 period, a total of 35 trips are planned, in collaboration with day support centers and support and care units. The transportation services are part of the benefits under § 81 of the Ninth Book of the Social Code (SGB IX) and serve to ensure social participation.

The tendering of the transportation services is carried out in several lots and is associated with a total contract volume of 2.6 million euros. The contracts run until 2027, and the city uses price as the central award criterion. At the same time, high requirements are placed on vehicle equipment, driver qualifications, and social competence to ensure the safety and needs of users.

Outlook: What's Next?

Mannheim faces the challenge of addressing the acute housing shortage for refugees and the long-term integration into the social space. At the same time, the city will strengthen its role as an innovation hub in the social economy. The Social Economy Cluster can help connect social enterprises with economic resources. The Duha e.V. association remains a central partner in migration and integration, and the transportation services for people with disabilities show how the city actively promotes accessibility and inclusion.