Hamburg is grappling with a severe shortage of accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees, despite a decrease in new arrivals.

The city has seen a 28% drop in asylum seekers compared to last year, with nearly 13,700 arriving in 2024, including 5,400 from Ukraine.

However, the city's public housing facilities are operating at over 97% capacity, accommodating around 47,000 individuals.

The challenge is exacerbated by the closure of temporary housing due to expiring leases and redevelopment projects.

While new facilities are being planned, the transition to private housing is slow due to a tight housing market.

Despite these efforts, the demand for housing continues to outpace supply, leaving the system strained.