Warning Against Cuts for the Homeless

The Association of Vienna's Homeless Assistance warns politicians against making cuts in support for homeless people. Reductions would not only result in an increasing number of affected individuals but also higher costs due to increased care efforts. Representatives of aid organizations, who are members of the association, expressed their conviction of this at a press conference on Thursday.

Thousands in Vienna are homeless or without housing

In Vienna, more than 11,000 people were recently homeless or without housing, explained Johanna Reithner from Volkshilfe during the media event on the occasion of the presentation of the 2025 situation report. In Vienna, about half of all registered cases in Austria are recorded. However, according to the association, the actual number is likely to be significantly higher. Often people are covertly homeless and do not appear in any statistics.

She predicted that cuts would further increase homelessness. For affected individuals, this would mean the end of social life: "Losing your home is a bit like a small death." Additionally, the public would incur higher costs, she noted. Therefore, they appeal to "all political levels": "There must be no cuts in this area."

According to Reithner, the corresponding rates have not yet been agreed upon. However, since cuts are being discussed everywhere, there is also concern about them in the assistance for the homeless. The association opposes the weakening of support structures - also with regard to the EU-wide goal of ending homelessness by 2030, as emphasized.

Warning against freezing funds

There is also a warning against freezing funds. In this case, the pressure will also increase, Nicole Meissner from the St. Elisabeth Foundation was convinced. The support network then threatens to become fragile. This will particularly affect single parents, she noted. Half of them are at risk of poverty, she pointed out.

Gernot Ecker from the Vienna Relief Organization referred to the large group of young people. One-third of the individuals in the statistics are between 18 and 30 years old. Support must be expanded here, he stated.

The fact that from next year, persons with subsidiary protection status in Vienna will no longer receive minimum benefits but will fall under basic care has also recently raised concerns that many of them will no longer be able to afford their housing. "The concern is indeed justified," said Johanna Reithner. According to the association, around 2,500 children are affected by this measure alone.

(APA/Red)

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