The Federal Working Group for Homelessness Aid is concerned about potential new hardships for homeless individuals struggling with alcohol dependency amid ongoing plans for a nationwide alcohol consumption ban at train stations.
Vice-CEO Joachim Krauß told “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Wednesday edition) that a ban does not change the living situation of people who stay at train stations; rather, it merely forces them out of sight. For many, the station is one of the few public spaces that offers shelter from the weather and easy access. According to Krauß, the ban would compel these individuals into areas that provide less protection and have less connection to aid systems.
Krauß noted that in Hamburg, where a similar ban is already in effect, the experience has been that people were displaced into adjacent city districts. However, this displacement also has a positive side effect: the city of Hamburg has since built up accessible, low-threshold assistance services in close proximity to the station. Krauß emphasized that instead of relying on bans, proactive approaches such as outreach work (streetwork) and creating spaces of acceptance are necessary.
