Mülheim Increases Social Spending – Focus on Youth Welfare, Integration, and Care

Social Policy in Mülheim: Rising Expenditures, Rising Challenges

Mülheim an der Ruhr has established itself as a top performer in the social sector in North Rhine-Westphalia in recent years. The city is increasingly investing in youth welfare, the integration of refugees, and care services. At the same time, it is facing structural and financial challenges that are being discussed both politically and socially. By April 2026, a clear picture has emerged: Mülheim is on its way to strengthening its social infrastructure – but the costs are rising.

Youth Welfare: Outpatient Solutions in the Foreground

Youth welfare in Mülheim has changed significantly in recent years. The city is increasingly focusing on outpatient solutions to keep children and young people within their families. This strategy is reflected in the financial data: in 2024, net expenditures for support in upbringing (HzE+) increased by 11.29% per inhabitant under the age of 21. Outpatient support rose by 6.78%, while inpatient support fell by 6.33%.

A central factor in this development is the inclusion support (Eingliederungshilfe). It is gaining in importance, especially for young people with disabilities aged between 0 and 27. The introduction of the application coordinator in January 2024 and their takeover by Myriam Graf in November 2025 has contributed to optimizing the application and coordination process. The city is actively cooperating with the Social Office, the Department for Children, Youth, Education and Integration, and the Regional Association of the Rhineland (LVR).

At the same time, Mülheim is a leader in inter-municipal comparisons: With a density of HzE+ recipients of 2% (second highest in NRW) and the second highest net expenditures per inhabitant, the city is showing itself to be a pioneer in the social field. The costs for inclusion support increased by 39.61% in 2024, indicating increased utilization and higher service claims.

Despite these positive steps, there are critical issues. The case review in 2025 showed that 135 cases with irregularities were examined. In particular, deficiencies were identified in care planning and cooperation with parents. The software change to the SoPart module for the Municipal Social Service is planned for the first quarter of 2027 and is intended to optimize processes.

Integration: Housing, Rental Agreements, and the Labor Market

The integration of refugees is another central topic in Mülheim's social policy. As of March 31, 2026, 850 refugees lived in the city. Of these, 473 (56%) were in municipal accommodations and 377 (44%) in decentralized housing. The calculated capacity was 1,865 places, with 180 "underutilized" places and 384 Ukrainians who have a right to their own housing being particularly highlighted.

The city supports the transition to regular rental agreements, especially in the "Probewohnen" project, which provides 30 apartments for transitional periods. The goal is to integrate refugees into the regular housing market, which in turn strengthens long-term social stability. Overall, the fulfillment rate of the refugee reception law is at 92.70%, indicating active participation by Mülheim.

At the same time, the labor market for refugees and asylum seekers is a focus of social policy. The integration rate K2 was at 18.1% in April 2026 – a record high within the last 25 months. Particularly Ukrainians and asylum seekers from non-European countries (27.3% of ELB) benefit from the NRW placement campaign.

Care Policy: Elderly Care, Palliative Care, and Digital Transformation

Care policy in Mülheim is shaped by a growing need for outpatient and inpatient care. The number of people in need of care increased from 7,155 in 2017 to 13,296 in 2023 – an increase of 86%. Outpatient care places are more in demand than inpatient ones, but the entire system remains under pressure. Staff shortages, funding, and the digitalization of care are central issues.

The city supports the development of age-appropriate districts and the creation of barrier-free housing. The master plan "Age-appropriate Districts.NRW" is a central instrument to ensure age-appropriate care. At the same time, palliative care is receiving more attention. Mülheim has five organizations that provide palliative and hospice care, including the Evangelical Hospice gGmbH and the Ambulatory Hospice Mülheim e.V.

The digital transformation of care is another key topic. The introduction of digital care documentation is intended to optimize work processes, but is often hindered by unsuitable software and lack of funding. The city is relying on practical model projects and IT training to relieve care staff.

Conclusion: Mülheim as a Social Pioneer with Future Challenges

Mülheim an der Ruhr has established itself as a social pioneer in NRW in recent years. The city is investing in youth welfare, integration, and care, and is relying on outpatient solutions, process optimizations, and inter-municipal benchmarking. At the same time, it is facing growing challenges – especially in the areas of funding, securing skilled workers, and digitalization.

The future task for Mülheim is clear: Social security must be guaranteed despite scarce resources. This means making decisions in politics that are sustainable in the long term. Mülheim has shown with its active role in the social field that it is possible – now it is time to maintain and further develop this dynamic.