Housing Crisis and Social Inclusion in Hagen: A Stocktaking in March 2026

Social Inequality and the Housing Crisis in Hagen: Challenges and Opportunities for Action

In a time of rising rents and increasing social inequality, the city of Hagen is examining how it can strengthen its social structures and provide better support for homeless and at-risk population groups. In March 2026, politicians, social organizations, and experts in Hagen discussed the future of the city's social and housing space strategy. Key topics included the expansion of social integration, the funding of preventive projects, rent control, and the development of social housing.

Social Integration and Labor Market Opportunities – The BIWAQ Program in Practice

The city of Hagen has set a significant milestone in social inclusion with the BIWAQ program (Professional Integration in Growth Districts). The project, which runs until 2026 and is funded by the ESF Plus, aims at integrating adults in Altenhagen and Wehringhausen. The goal is to place 500 people in the labor market or to provide them with long-term support through qualification programs.

The results are impressive: By the last meeting in March 2026, 106 social insurance-covered employment relationships had been established, 66 qualifications completed, and the female share was at 60%. Outreach work, language courses, and job application training form the backbone of the program.

The administration has proposed that after the program ends, a scientific presentation be conducted by a Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences) to consolidate experiences and insights. This could form a basis for future integration strategies.

Prevention as an Investment in the Future – The Project „Drachenherz“

In Hagen, prevention is no longer seen merely as a social duty, but as an economic necessity. The project „Drachenherz“, led by the Blaues Kreuz Hagen in cooperation with SPDi and the health department, addresses children and youth from burdened families. With two weekly group offers, parental support, and psychosocial care, the project aims to prevent early experiences with addiction and violence.

With a funding of about 141,737 € in 2025 and a deficit of 52,295 €, the project is financially strained. Nevertheless, politicians emphasize the necessity to maintain such structures. The proposed cancellation of the grant for 2027 is therefore controversial. The administration promises not to destroy the structure, but the future of the project remains uncertain.

Housing Policy in Crisis – Lack of Rent Control and Social Housing

The housing crisis in Hagen is dramatic. Although approximately 815 housing entitlement certificates were issued in 2025, social housing is still lacking. With the tool „Bauturbo“, the city is trying to accelerate social housing construction, but so far, binding quotas for new construction projects are missing. In addition, several rent control authorizations will expire in the coming years without being renewed.

Although the vacant land register identifies 12 hectares for possible building projects, only 0.8% of it belongs to the city. The administration has not yet initiated its own renovation projects in connection with „Bauturbo“. This shows the limits of municipal action, especially in a time when demand for affordable housing is increasing.

Social Space Strategy for Altenhagen – From Offer to Coordination

Altenhagen is a district with high poverty, long-term unemployment, and a lack of social mixing. Although numerous social and educational institutions are present on site, a coordinated strategy is still missing. The Social Committee urged the administration to develop a municipal comprehensive social space strategy in order to bundle offers, clearly define target groups, and sustainably strengthen social inclusion.

The establishment of regular reports on social developments in districts could help increase transparency and planning. In the long term, this would enable better networking of local actors who can use the social space more effectively than before.

Outlook and Recommendations for Action

The challenges in Hagen are diverse: The city must cope with rising housing shortages, financial constraints, and the pressure to consolidate the budget without further undermining the social infrastructure. Politicians face the task of aligning investments in prevention and social integration with the need for budget consolidation until 2034.

In the future, the development of a clear municipal social space strategy will be crucial to sustainably relieve districts like Altenhagen. In addition, the stabilization of projects like „Drachenherz“ is of great importance, even though funding is tight. The city of Hagen must also urgently expand its scope for action in housing construction in order to meet the growing demand for affordable housing.