Homelessness Help with imminent loss of housing
Service description
There are many different reasons why you might lose your housing (e.g., due to an eviction lawsuit, termination of the lease without notice by the landlord, a fire in the apartment, or water damage).
To prevent the imminent loss of your home, you can seek assistance. Depending on the individual case, your rent arrears may be covered, or negotiations may be conducted with the landlord to help you keep your apartment.
If you have already lost your apartment—that is, if you are facing imminent homelessness—you can initially be placed in emergency housing.
You can also receive assistance if you urgently need to rent a new apartment, your own financial resources are insufficient to cover the resulting costs, and you have exhausted all other options for self-help. In individual cases, for example, the security deposit, a guarantee, or the real estate agent’s commission may be pre-financed. Financial assistance is generally provided in the form of a loan. The specific requirements may vary from municipality to municipality, so please check with your local authorities.
Note: If you are interested in public housing, you will need a housing eligibility certificate.Prerequisites
Impending or existing homelessness with no prospect of finding a new home.
What documents are required?
- Identity card or passport
- for foreign applicants: Proof of legal residence in Germany
- Income documents
(e.g. wage or salary statements, notifications of unemployment benefit, unemployment benefit II, pension, social assistance) - Documents on existing debt and maintenance obligations
- In the event of acute homelessness: additionally
- suitable documents showing acute homelessness (e.g. court order, discharge certificate, proof of loss of accommodation)
- if there is a risk of losing your home: additionally
- Documents that illustrate the impending loss of the apartment (e.g. notice of termination, eviction action, eviction date)
- Rental agreement
- Proof of payment of the current rent (e.g. bank statement)
- if an apartment is to be procured: additionally
- Documents showing the necessity of the change of residence (e.g. notice of termination, certificates, rental agreement of the previous residence)
Note: Further information and evidence may be required in individual cases.
Legal basis