Housing insecurity grips German tenants and asylum seekers

In Heidelberg, 70‑year‑old artist Cholud Kassem successfully challenged an eviction notice that claimed personal need after the landlord, a well‑known local entrepreneur, cited a divorce as the reason. The case highlights the broader misuse of "Eigenbedarf" (personal‑use) evictions amid soaring rents, with tenant organisations noting a rise in such notices across German cities.

In Haltern, an asylum seeker known only as Youssef lives in a centralized accommodation (ZUE) under strict schedules and limited resources. After his asylum claim was rejected, he faces the threat of forced removal and lives in constant fear of police raids. The account details the regimented daily routine, tight financial controls, and the precarious legal situation faced by many undocumented migrants in Germany.