# Winter homelessness support in Germany and Austria > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/winter-homelessness-support-in-germany-and-austria > Updated: 2026-10-30T04:36:52.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 4. As temperatures drop, municipal and charitable organizations in Germany and Austria are expanding emergency services for homeless populations. In Hamburg, the city has launched its annual winter emergency program, running from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The initiative provides approximately 1,100 beds through municipal sites, church communities, and universities. Specific locations include 400 spaces in Friesenstraße, 300 in Châu-und-Lân-Straße, and 90 container-based spaces from religious and academic institutions, supplementing year-round facilities like Pik As and Frauenzimmer. A new and controversial requirement mandates that participants undergo social counseling after a maximum of three nights to address long-term housing and social benefits. The program also offers medical care, meals, a free shuttle bus service, and protected spaces for women and LGBTQ+ individuals. In Munich, the association Horizont e.V., founded by actress Jutta Speidel in 1997, has opened a third facility specifically to support homeless women and children, emphasizing the need for a secure home as a place of peace and protection. Münster is also activating its winter emergency aid starting November 1. The city will provide 70 additional sleeping spaces in containers at the Caspar-Hessel-Gelände, managed by staff from the Bischof-Herrmann-Stiftung and Caritas. Social Department Head Cornelia Wilkens has urged citizens to report individuals sleeping outdoors in freezing temperatures. Additionally, the Bahnhofsmission in Münster continues to serve approximately 200 people daily with free food. In Vienna, Caritas is launching its winter emergency aid by increasing streetwork services and reactivating a cold hotline known as the ‘Kältetelefon’. Through a collaboration with Fonds Soziales Wien, Caritas is adding 70 new shelter spots to its existing capacity of 1,890 accommodation places. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-30: Hamburg launches winter emergency program for homeless Hamburg is providing 1,100 emergency winter sleeping spaces for the homeless, featuring a new controversial requirement for mandatory social counseling after three nights. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-launches-winter-emergency-program-for-homeless ### 2026-10-26: Münster launches winter emergency aid for homeless residents Münster is providing 70 additional emergency sleeping spaces in containers to protect homeless residents from freezing temperatures through March. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mnster-launches-winter-emergency-aid-for-homeless-residents ### 2026-10-26: Charitable organizations expand support for homeless populations in Germany and Austria Charitable initiatives are expanding in Munich and Vienna to support homeless individuals, including new housing from Horizont e.V. and Caritas's winter emergency aid program. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/charitable-organizations-expand-support-for-homeless-populations-in-germany-and-austria ### 2026-10-20: Hamburg launches winter emergency program for homeless residents Hamburg is launching its 2026/2027 winter emergency program, providing 1,100 overnight beds and mandatory social counseling to support homeless residents. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-launches-winter-emergency-program-for-homeless-residents --- Cite as: Winter homelessness support in Germany and Austria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/winter-homelessness-support-in-germany-and-austria