Social Affairs and Housing Policy in Cologne: Challenges and Developments in March 2026

The Current Situation of Refugees and Housing in Cologne

In March 2026, Cologne demonstrated a high level of responsibility and flexibility in its refugee policy. As of January 31, 2026, a total of 9,117 refugees were accommodated in municipal shelters. Of these, 1,943 were from Ukraine, highlighting the city’s central role in refugee reception once again this year.

The fulfillment of the intake quota under § 3 of the Federal Refugee Coordination and Responsibility Act (FlüAG) stood at 97.40 percent, indicating that Cologne is nearly fully meeting its nationally mandated intake obligations. However, the city still anticipates further assignments of up to 461 individuals, meaning that flexibility and capacity will remain necessary in the coming weeks and months.

Accommodation takes various forms: 1,326 refugees were placed in accommodation facilities, and 461 individuals were housed at the Kommunale Erstaufnahme (KEA) Herkulesstraße. These figures illustrate that the city offers a wide range of solutions to address diverse needs.

School and Kindergarten Placement for Refugees: Challenges and Solutions

The integration of refugees into the educational system is another key aspect of social policy. In March 2026, 370 students were recorded after counseling at the Integration Coordination Center (KI), with 17 of these students coming from Ukraine. All recorded children were successfully provided with school placements, underscoring that the city of Cologne is well-prepared in this area.

Preparatory classes (VK) and individual integration (EI) are central tools for the targeted integration of refugee children. For example, in the city center, there are 5 preparatory classes with a total of 90 available spots, of which 38 are already filled. In Ehrenfeld and Nippes, the capacities are also well utilized.

However, it is evident that the remaining capacity in individual integration is below 400 available spots, indicating that the demand for individual support is increasing and that the city is continuously working to expand its capacities.

Social Networks and Senior Policy: Further Development and Interculturality

In addition to refugee and education policy, the further development of the Cologne Senior Networks is also a key focus. The concept was revised in 2020 and updated again in 2026. The goal is to establish senior network structures in all districts, with intercultural openness and diversity sensitivity explicitly integrated into the planning process.

In districts with a high proportion of residents with international family backgrounds, such as Porz, Mülheim, or Ehrenfeld, new networks are being developed. The intercultural competence of staff is being strengthened through training and supervision, and the Office for Integration and Diversity is involved in the further development process.

In addition, a translator pool is being set up for the municipal senior advisory service to reduce linguistic and cultural barriers for seniors with a migration background. This is particularly important, as the share of older people with international family backgrounds in Cologne is steadily increasing.

Security in Public Spaces: The Fight Against Catcalling

Another important topic discussed in March 2026 is the fight against sexualized harassment in public spaces, particularly so-called catcalling. A proposal aimed to include sexually connoted speech, gestures, or sound expressions in the Cologne City Ordinance.

A training program for the city’s public order department was proposed, and a digital reporting system with the option of anonymous reporting is planned. The city aims to advocate on state and federal levels for the introduction of a standalone offense in the Code of Administrative Offenses. This shows that Cologne remains active in equality policy and is pursuing structural measures.

Conclusion: A City in Transition – Focusing on Integration, Security, and Social Cohesion

In March 2026, Cologne has demonstrated that it is effectively managing challenges in the field of social and housing policy. The accommodation of refugees, the integration into education, the further development of social networks, and equality policy are central issues on which the city remains active.

The coming months will show whether planned measures, such as the expansion of individual integration, the intercultural opening of senior networks, or the implementation of security measures in public spaces, can be successfully carried out. Cologne continues to move toward becoming an open, inclusive, and safe city – a process that requires continuous attention and adaptation.