"The reckoning will come"

Refugee housing in Berlin has shifted towards large-scale shelters and container villages. These were once meant as temporary fixes but have now become the standard. Critics argue the change stems from political decisions rather than just a lack of space.

Years ago, containers were introduced as a short-term answer to the housing crisis. Over time, they replaced more decentralised options, becoming the default choice. The Berlin Senate dropped its earlier policy of spreading out accommodations, opting instead for big shelters like those in Tegel and Tempelhof.

At Tempelhof, around 1,400 people currently live in container units, with plans to expand next year. Residents there have raised concerns about poor food quality and limited privacy. Despite these issues, some see the containers as an improvement over older, more crowded facilities. Peter Hermanns, an observer of refugee housing, notes that Germany’s first container village in Köpenick operated for a decade before closing. He also argues that politics has failed to challenge the idea that refugees are a threat. Meanwhile, operators with strong social concepts can still provide good care, even under difficult conditions. The shift away from decentralised housing came with another change: contracts now go to the cheapest bidders. Earlier policies favoured operators with strong integration plans, but cost has since taken priority.

Container villages and large shelters now dominate Berlin’s refugee housing system. The move away from smaller, community-based options reflects broader policy changes. With expansion plans already in place, this model looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.