Berlin Emergency Winter Shelters Nearly Full in October

Berlin's Kältehilfe emergency shelter network is under unusual pressure this October, with approximately 700 available beds at roughly 90 percent occupancy despite temperatures remaining moderate. A planned 150-bed facility at Goslarer Platz fell through after the landlord unexpectedly withdrew, though coordinators say they have found several smaller locations as a replacement. The network expects to scale up to around 1,000 beds in November.

The women's day centre Evas Haltestelle in Wedding, run by the Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen, has had all 20 of its emergency overnight places full since early October, forcing director Natalie Kulik and her staff to turn women away. Daytime pressure has also grown: the facility is designed for 60 visitors per day, but 70 to 75 women are now arriving daily seeking a safe place to rest, socialise, and get support. Demand for sleeping bags, blankets, and warm clothing has also risen sharply.

The Johanniter-run Ohlauer 365 shelter, open year-round with 88 regular beds that expand to up to 100 in winter, reports that it must turn people away throughout the year due to insufficient space. Meanwhile, the Johanniter's Nachthafen am Kotti night café has seen occupancy on cold October nights rise by as much as 100 percent compared to normal, with staff now in contact with up to 300 people each night. The café on Reichenberger Straße, which serves people with addiction issues alongside drinks and small meals, is open every night from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.