Kältebus berlin

Helping homeless people in Berlin: Shelters, contact points, who to call

How can we help homeless people in Berlin this winter? Many shelters and facilities are still open, albeit with reduced capacity. Our editors gathered a list of support services for homeless people, with information on contact points for accommodation, medical care and food. 

Established in 1995 by Berliner Stadtmission, the Kältebus (literally ‘cold bus’) provides homeless people with shelter from bitter temperatures, and helps those who can no longer make it to emergency shelters under their own steam. 

The Wärmebus (‘warm bus’) is the equivalent of the German Red Cross. The buses run from evening to night every year between November 1st and March 31st. You can ask vulnerable homeless people if they need help or want to be taken to an emergency shelter. If they do, call the Kältebus or Wärmebus. 

In case of acute danger to life, contact emergency services instead of the buses. Due to the limited number of beds in emergency shelters this year, a Suppenbus (‘soup bus’), also run by the Stadtmission, will drive through Berlin providing homeless people with warm food and drinks from 7pm to 11pm.