Charitable organizations expand support for homeless populations in Germany and Austria

In Munich, actress Jutta Speidel has opened a third house for her association, Horizont e.V., which provides support for homeless women and children. Speidel, who founded the organization in 1997 to address the lack of social attention regarding homeless families, emphasized the importance of a secure home as a place of peace and protection.

In Vienna, Caritas is launching its winter emergency aid program to assist those living on the streets during dropping temperatures. Director Klaus Schwertner announced the reactivation of the 'Kältetelefon' (cold hotline), an increase in streetwork services, and the provision of additional emergency shelter spaces. In collaboration with the Fonds Soziales Wien (FSW), 70 new shelter spots have been created to supplement the existing 1,890 accommodation places provided by Caritas.