Young and old together: SPD seeks to expand “housing for help” in northern Germany

Many older people live alone in large homes while younger people struggle to find affordable accommodation. Schleswig-Holstein’s SPD wants to expand a scheme designed to bring the two groups together: “Housing for Help.”

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Students and trainees receive an affordable place to live, while older people get support with shopping or household tasks.

The program, run by the student welfare organization, allows students and trainees to receive affordable housing in exchange for assistance with shopping or household tasks. SPD state chairman and lead candidate for next April’s state election, Ulf Kämpfer, said both sides could benefit. “Students and trainees receive an affordable place to live, while older people get support with shopping or household tasks,” he said.

Kämpfer acknowledged that “Housing for Help” cannot replace the construction of housing that is genuinely needed. He described it instead as a sensible additional way to make better use of existing space while strengthening social ties.

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Housing for Help cannot replace the housing construction that is needed. But it is a sensible additional way to use existing housing more effectively while strengthening social cohesion.

According to Thomas Hölck, the SPD’s housing policy spokesman, the parliamentary group is proposing a central platform to arrange matches, professional advice locally and clear standards for fair agreements. “Anyone offering housing or providing help must know what they are getting into and whom they can contact with questions,” Hölck said.

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Anyone offering housing or providing help must know what they are getting into and whom they can contact with questions.