Housing Crisis and Social Support: Viersen Implements Day Center for the Homeless

Social Challenges in Viersen: The Path to a Day Center

The number of homeless individuals in Viersen and the district as a whole has increased in recent years. Although no exact figures are available for Viersen alone, the city’s specialist office supported 612 households in 2024, including 336 single-person households. This development led the Committee for Social Affairs and Health to decide in February 2026 to establish a day center. The goal is to provide people in precarious living situations with low-threshold access to social and hygiene support.

Concept and Facilities of the Day Center

The day center will be established as a service under § 67 SGB XII, meaning it is not a mandatory service under the Ordinance Authority Act. It is planned as an open, non-compulsory location where homeless individuals can find protection from weather conditions, make social contacts, and access basic services such as food, showers, washing machines, and counseling.

The spatial equipment includes a large lounge area, a retreat room, a kitchen and counter setup, sanitary facilities, and a clothing room. Additionally, WLAN and digital equipment will be provided to enable access to the digital world. The opening hours are planned for Monday to Friday, with weekend opening only possible through volunteer support.

Funding and Provider Structure

Funding for the day center is a central issue. The committee has set aside a contingency line item of 50,000 euros in the 2026 and subsequent budgets, although final funding depends on the provider structure. The city plans to either finance a social provider or act as a service provider itself. In the first case, the subsidy could cover up to 75% of the costs; in the second case, the city would bear the full costs—estimated at 310,000 euros annually from 2026.

Financially, the setup is planned for the years 2026–2029 with an annual additional cost of approximately 232,500 euros, with 150,000 euros allocated for 2026. The city will also contact the district of Viersen to explore potential financial contributions.

Housing Protection Ordinance: Why Viersen Cannot Act

Another topic discussed in the meeting was the housing protection ordinance. The SPD faction had proposed issuing such an ordinance to curb vacancy and short-term rentals via online platforms. However, the administration decided that the legal prerequisites for such an ordinance are not in place and that issuing it would be too personnel- and financially demanding. Additionally, there are legal risks, as there are no clear legal foundations.

The city of Viersen also does not have statistical data on short-term rentals in the city. According to the 2022 census, the market-active vacancy rate in Viersen is 1.4%, well below the North Rhine-Westphalia average of 3.3%. Therefore, the urgency for a housing protection ordinance is low.

Outlook: Social Stabilization and Long-Term Perspectives

The day center is a step toward sustainable social support in Viersen. It is intended not only to meet short-term needs but also to contribute to social stabilization and pave the way for further support systems. At the same time, it is being examined whether funding from state or EU programs will be available in the future—potentially from 2027.

The establishment of the day center is thus a pilot project, limited to 2029 and possibly extended or adapted after an evaluation. With this project, the city of Viersen signals its deliberate commitment to socially disadvantaged individuals—and its willingness to implement this commitment financially and personnel-wise.