St. Klara in Regensburg: 10 years of inclusive living celebrated!

St. Klara in Regensburg: 10 years of inclusive living celebrated!

In the heart of Regensburg's old town stands St. Klara, a unique project for inclusive and affordable living that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The former monastery complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been a meeting place for people from different walks of life since 2015. Not only people with disabilities live here, but also young mothers with children and migrants. In total, around 50 people find a home in this social housing form.

The project, launched by the Catholic Youth Welfare (KJF) and the city of Regensburg in collaboration with private investors, shows how inclusive living can be successful. KJF director Michael Eibl emphasizes the importance of such projects and calls for more favorable conditions for non-profit organizations in order to further promote social integration. “Favourable conditions and unbureaucratic funding programs are urgently needed to help even more people,” says Eibl.

A home for everyone

18 people with disabilities currently live in St. Klara; Five mothers from the “Haus Mutter und Kind” facility also live here. The apartments vary in size between 35 and 155 square meters, so there is something suitable for every living situation. It is particularly important that the housing concept also offers migrants and people in training with a refugee background a perspective and that social hotspots in the city are avoided.

The KJF has invested around 12 million euros in the renovation and conversion of the monastery complex. Particularly noteworthy is the financial contribution of 110,000 euros from Aktion Mensch. Accessibility also plays a central role: 800,000 euros were invested in this area alone. St. Klara is more than just a place to live; it is a social project that promotes diversity, participation and social peace and can therefore serve as a model for similar projects in other cities.

A meeting place

St. Klara also functions as a cultural and social meeting place. The St. Klara Gallery for inclusive exhibitions and the KJF educational advice center enrich life in the community. Here you not only live, but also live and learn. The concept envisages that future residents can participate equally in social life, regardless of age, origin or abilities. Such inclusive neighborhoods are particularly important in order to enable sustainable and future-proof urban design.

The example of St. Klara shows how a space for everyone can be created through innovative approaches and collaboration between various actors in the city community. By not pushing socially disadvantaged individuals and families to the outskirts of the city, but rather remaining an integrated part of the old town, a lively, diverse neighborhood is growing that has a lasting impact on the name Regensburg.

For many, St. Klara is not just a home, but a symbol of togetherness that shows that inclusion is possible - and in a very practical way. This makes it clear that all people can have the right to a self-determined life in the community if there is the will to change.