Rising rents threaten German social facilities, BAGFW survey finds

A survey by the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege (BAGFW) of nearly 700 social service providers conducted at the end of 2025 reveals that more than 80 % say rising rent costs strain their finances. Since 2020, 57 % of small, single‑site organisations reported at least one rent increase, and a quarter experienced multiple hikes.

Only about a quarter of providers receive full public refinancing for rent and ancillary costs; the rest must cover part or all of the expenses themselves. As a result, many have shortened opening hours, merged groups or cancelled projects. BAGFW president Achim Meyer called for legally guaranteed refinancing, a binding commercial rent index, stronger tenant protection for nonprofit operators and the safeguarding of space for social infrastructure by cities and municipalities.