Refuge at Flöthebogen: Temporarily closed due to vandalism!

Refuge at Flöthebogen: Temporarily closed due to vandalism!

The refuge at Flöthebogen, a popular retreat in Diepholz, is currently closed due to repeated vandalism and garbage problems. How kreiszeitung.de reports, the city administration is very concerned about the repeated graffiti and littering in the area. Despite the difficulties, the specialist service manager Sebastian Dornieden describes the hut as a success story because it is frequented by many people, including homeless people. The building yard was originally supposed to take over the repairs, but now the city is bringing a painting company on board.

A common problem is not only the defacement of the refuge, but also the rubbish left behind in the area. Dornieden explains that it is a general problem that many people do not throw their waste into the garbage containers provided. Political slogans that come from the right-wing extremist spectrum are immediately removed by the city in order to ensure an undisturbed environment.

Support offers for homeless people

In Diepholz, offers of help for homeless people are also very important. The day meeting point "Die Ark" in Bethel in the north offers a contact point for people who are homeless or live in insecure living conditions. Loud bethel-im-norden.de “Die Arche” offers numerous services to help those affected in emergency situations. This includes not only advice on overcoming homelessness, but also support in finding accommodation, helpful discussions about personal problems and the opportunity to shower and do laundry on site.

Such offers are important throughout Germany because, according to the OECD, over two million people in OECD and EU countries were affected by homelessness in 2024. Political strategies presented are increasingly coming into focus. Forward.de highlights that over half of OECD and EU countries have now implemented national homelessness strategies.

National action plan against homelessness

In Germany there is already a national action plan to combat homelessness, which has three central priorities: building more affordable housing, expanding housing benefit and setting quality standards for emergency accommodation. This action plan, which aims to develop operational measures to overcome housing and homelessness by 2030, could potentially also have a positive impact on the situations in cities like Diepholz.

Prevention is an essential component in combating homelessness. It should be started early in order to reach particularly vulnerable groups such as young people from youth welfare services or those released from prison. Together, these efforts represent a step in the right direction to improve the quality of life of those affected and get to the root of the social problem. The road may be long, but changes are in sight and businesses like the refuge at Flöthebogen are more than ever a visible sign of effort and solidarity.