Amidst nationwide initiatives marking the Day for People Experiencing Homelessness this Thursday, Jan van Aken, parliamentary group leader of the Left Party, has proposed enshrining the right to housing in the German constitution.
“The right to housing belongs in the Basic Law” van Aken told the “Rheinische Post”. He emphasized that housing is a fundamental human right and stated that his party would vigorously advocate for constitutional recognition of this right.
The estimated 500,000 people experiencing homelessness in Germany represents a “political scandal” according to the party leader. He argued that housing has become a commodity increasingly unaffordable for many. Van Aken highlighted the critical link between housing and opportunities for employment, social participation and healthcare access.
Emmi Zeulner (CSU), a member of the Parliamentary Building Committee, urged increased attention to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. She noted the importance of the Day for People Experiencing Homelessness as a platform for raising awareness and reaffirmed her commitment to the implementation of the National Action Plan against Homelessness, which aims to eradicate housing and homelessness by 2030.
Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building Verena Hubertz (SPD) previously emphasized the urgency of the issue in July. She stated that homelessness is a societal challenge requiring action and highlighted the unacceptable situation of people living on the streets in a prosperous nation like Germany.
