When Mihai arrived in Hamburg from Romania, he struggled to find a home. He didn’t speak German, and found it difficult to get work and access social support as a result.  

This is often the situation faced by mobile citizens from Bulgaria, Poland, and Romania, who find themselves homeless (or likely to become homeless) when they arrive in Germany. It is hard to integrate into German society and new arrivals face numerous barriers, including high levels of discrimination, not being familiar with the language, and a lack of awareness of their social rights. 

Thankfully, Mihai connected with the Social Bridge Hamburg project through its drop-in center, and was able to receive support to find a job and improve his living situation. 

‘With the help of Social Bridge Hamburg, I was able to escape homelessness,’ he says.

The project, which is financed by the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), seeks to support and improve the conditions and living situations of mobile EU citizens in Hamburg, and to empower and strengthen their independent action, by providing counselling and orientation (including language support). It also provides mediation between existing support services, if required. Project staff build relationships with newly arrived citizens through face-to-face contact, and volunteers support the team in their mission by solving everyday problems. 

‘Thanks to the language and professional support, I was able to find my way back into life,’ Mihai recounts. ‘Today, I live in my own rented apartment.’ 

Since the project began in January 2019, around 200 EU mobile citizens in Hamburg have been contacted and offered counselling each year. 85 % of the people supported by the project are guided to existing services. Female mobile citizens can also be referred to women-only services for homeless people. 

‘With our broad network, we can address people´s individual needs and refer them to suitable support services,’ notes Velina Weber, one of the councilors. 

Together, the team and volunteers refer people to easy-to-access services (e.g. food distribution points, clothing stores), help them to find suitable accommodation, and provide information on medical services.  

After arriving in Hamburg, Bulgarian citizen Marie experienced acute illness, and required urgent medical attention. She was able to find the help she needed with support from the Social Bridge Hamburg project. 

‘Thanks to the social counseling and support provided by project the social worker, I was able to receive medical treatment,’ Marie says. ‘Today I feel better again, and I am very grateful.’ 

Social Bridge Hamburg has established a strong network of organisations that provide the services, so desperately needed by new arrivals. This network identifies the specific needs of homeless people and works to find sustainable solutions.