In 2018, there were an estimated 678K homeless people in Germany, which is 4% higher than the previous year, according to the Federal Association for Homeless – BAG W. This is a significant number and a considerable problem, particularly in the wintertime. Many homeless people die from sleeping out in freezing temperatures.
A German collective is trying to help save homeless people’s lives by introducing windproof and waterproof cozy sleeping pods, called Ulmer Nest, that the homeless could freely access. These capsules can protect them against the cold, wind, and humidity while also promising fresh air circulation and hopefully reducing the number of cold-related deaths.
On January 8, 2021, the wood and steel sleeping pods, which can fit two people, were installed in the German city of Ulm, 75 miles (120 km) west of Munich, in parks and other areas homeless people tend to sleep.
There are no cameras in the capsules to ensure privacy. However, when the doors open or close, they trigger a motion sensor that alerts social workers so they can clean the pods after it’s used and to offer assistance if needed. The pods are equipped with solar panels and are linked to a radio network, allowing occupants to communicate without mobile networks’ reliance.
The collective highlights that the pods are made for those who cannot access homeless shelters, either due to psychological issues or because they have a pet. “We’ve got homeless people who can’t go to shelters, and we don’t want them to freeze to death,” said Florian, a representative from the collective.
If the Ulmer Nest pilot project proves successful in protecting the homeless against frostbite, it could be rolled out across the nation. The collective emphasizes that this initiative is not an alternative to staying in a hostel or housing facility but rather an “emergency last resort” option to sleeping outdoors.
