Berlin announces expansion of refugee accomodations with new shelter at Tempelhof

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Berlin has announced an expansion of its accommodation capacities for refugees, with a new shelter for 840 people to open at the former Berlin Tempelhof Airport.

Under Mayor of Berlin Franziska Giffey, the city stressed the importance of providing accommodation to refugees as temperatures continue to drop.

Head of the Berlin State Office for Refugee Affairs (LAF) Carina Harms announced the expansion at talks with local refugee initiatives in December, noting that the new shelter should come online before the end of the month.

Harms noted that city authorities have not found a sponsor for the shelter, but are discussing the issue with aid organisations.

She pointed out that new accommodation should open before Christmas, stressing “it’s about averting homelessness” and added that the city cannot do it without opening new shelters.

Head of the accommodation department Benjamin Buchholz expressed belief that city authorities will find a sponsor in the coming days. He noted that the first 200 refugees are to move in by the end of the week.

Berlin authorities noted that the number of refugees in the city has been increasing in recent months, which is why capacities need to be expanded. The number of refugees in state-run accommodation in Berlin currently stands at roughly 30,000, approximately 6,000 more compared to the corresponding period last year.

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