Social and Housing Affairs in Münster: Focus on Inclusion, Age-Friendliness, and New Structures

Strengthening Inclusion: Support Program for People with Disabilities

Münster is investing in the empowerment and political participation of people with disabilities with an annual budget of 20,000 euros. The program aims to promote projects and activities that advance social integration. The funding guidelines are published on the homepage of the Social Affairs Office, including in plain language, to increase accessibility.

Applications can be submitted until March 31, 2026, giving interested parties sufficient time to develop and apply for projects. For questions, contact Mrs. Rüter, who can be reached by email and phone. This support program is a key milestone in Münster's efforts to create an inclusive urban society.

Revitalizing the Age-Friendly City Initiative

Münster has been a member of the WHO network "Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities" since 2022. The initiative aims to improve the quality of life for older people through age-appropriate urban planning. Due to vacant positions, work on the age-friendly city was temporarily suspended. With the new appointment for the position of "Elderly Care Planning," the work can now resume.

A key milestone is the first meeting of the newly appointed advisory board for the "Age-Friendly City" on March 17, 2026. The advisory board consists of representatives from the administration, welfare organizations, and other actors in senior work. The Committee for Social Affairs, Health, Work, and Migration will be informed on further steps. The initiative reflects Münster's long-term commitment to remaining a livable city for all age groups.

Integrated Support Services: Structural Restructuring

Münster is implementing the project "Integrated Local Support Services" to establish a central point of contact for children and young people with disabilities. The goal is to unify responsibilities for participation services, which were previously divided according to the type of disability (Social Code Book VIII and IX). The project team, consisting of various city departments, already held its first information session for staff in November 2025.

The transformation project will run until mid-2027 and will be implemented independently of any pending federal legislation. In the long term, an efficiency gain is expected, which could result in cost savings in the field of support services. Simplifying structures is a decisive step to reduce administrative barriers for families and guardians.

Healthcare Under Pressure: Closure of the General Practice in Berg Fidel

The closure of the general practice in Berg Fidel from April 2026 casts a shadow on the healthcare situation in this district. The practice is the only easily accessible point of contact and will be closed due to a low number of patients and economic unviability. The city of Münster has no legal influence in this matter, as the licensing and establishment of medical practices are regulated by law.

As a countermeasure, it is being examined whether the location can be used temporarily, and a health kiosk is being developed as an alternative. However, this is not a long-term solution, especially for people with mobility impairments and households without a car. The closure highlights the challenges of medical care in rural and structurally disadvantaged districts of the city.

Outlook and Responsibility

Developments in the areas of social affairs and housing show how complex the challenges in Münster are. On the one hand, new structures are being created to improve inclusion and quality of life. On the other hand, structural bottlenecks such as medical care remain. The Committee for Social Affairs, Health, Work, and Migration plays a central role in steering these topics. The appointment of secretaries such as Mrs. Karin Weinlich and Daniela Noack strengthens administrative security.

Münster is moving towards an inclusive, age-friendly, and efficient social policy – but implementation also requires long-term planning and coordinated action areas. Looking ahead, it will be important to monitor how the projects take effect and whether gaps in healthcare and social services can be closed.