They are the nameless and the faceless of German society. Dismissed by many as potentially dangerous alcoholics or 'crazies', they are the bodies stepped over in railway stations and the beggars mentally erased by the rushing multitudes. They are the homeless of Germany and their figures are growing.

The homeless phenomenon is nothing new is western parts of Germany, but marked increases in the eastern parts of the country as well as in many East European states has highlighted the problem across the whole continent.

German homeless could be as much as half a million

No one can be entirely sure how many destitute people there are on the streets of Germany. Estimates put the figure at around 360,000 but it is more likely to be closer to half a million. These include people in temporary accommodation and those taken care of by refugee projects, known by the term 'Obdachlose'. Out of this disturbingly large number of displaced persons, around 30,000 - young and old, men and women - live rough under the title 'Wohnungslose' or homeless.

The streets can be a dangerous place to live in and research shows that vulnerable people forced to live in the open account for a significant percentage of the total number of homeless in Germany.

Over 20 percent of German homeless are women

Women account for an overall 10-15 per cent of vagrant people in Germany, and, in larger cities around the country, the figure can be as high as 22 per cent. The number of young people with no fixed abode has risen in recent years and continues to rise, as does the number of mentally-ill living on the street.

There are many reasons for the explosion in those without a roof over their heads. Financial and work-related instability in Germany has caused unemployment levels to rise to almost four million. Cuts in funding to outreach organizations limits the amount of aid and support available for the mentally-ill. Similar factors are responsible for the rise in the eastern countries, along with increasing numbers of refugees and asylum seekers.

Often, personal crises and drastic events - the death of a partner, divorce or loss of work - start the snowball effect that leads to homelessness. The loss of control over one's life and finances can soon turn into an avalanche of problems that results in life on the street. The pressures of life in a dog-eat-dog and competition-focused society can drive those affected by them to the mental crutches of alcohol or drugs and finally to an almost hopeless situation in life.

Social assistance provides many helping hands

But help is at hand. State aid for the homeless in Germany is regulated by the Federal Social Assistance Act. There are funds available for social assistance for people in need from the municipal social welfare offices of the country’s 16 federal states. The aid is mostly in the form of money for basic living costs, which is paid on the spot. There is also a network of social assistance systems that consist of advisory centers, street workers, day centers, residential care, homes, overnight shelters and medical outpatient care.

There are also many independent schemes such as street newspapers produced and sold by homeless people, giving them some money and the chance to work in community projects encouraging active inclusion in the society around them.

One scheme recently started in southern German state of Baden Württemberg by a protestant church group provides homeless people with low rate loans to help them afford accommodation.

Eastern states to meet at homeless congress

Germany is not the only country in Europe committed to tackling the homeless problem. France and the Scandinavian and Benelux countries are pursuing offensives to cope with the escalating numbers. However, Europe is divided in its fight against homelessness. Initiatives in the Baltic States and Poland are moving slowly while Spain and Britain are perceived as the 'black sheep' of Europe for their poor records.

However, action is being planned for the countries who have been given a wake-up call. A congress addressing the problems of growing homelessness in the eastern parts of Europe is planned for the end of November by the Baltic countries in Rendsburg in northern Germany.