City council approves new building with 17 places – implementation planned by 2026
As the press office of the City of Darmstadt announced, the city council approved the construction of a new women's shelter in Darmstadt in cooperation with bauverein AG at its meeting on March 5th. In addition to more modern facilities, the shelter will offer 17 safe spaces for women and their children – four more than before.
Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of this year , with completion planned for December 2026. Darmstadt Women's Shelter Association , the Women's Office , and the Housing Office are all involved in the planning process .
Important step in the fight against violence against women
Mayor and Women's Affairs Officer Barbara Akdeniz emphasizes the importance of the new building:
"With this decision, we are not only implementing the legal requirements of the Istanbul Convention, but also making it clear: violence against women will receive zero tolerance in our city. Every woman has the right to protection and physical integrity."
According to the Istanbul Convention, must be provided for every 10,000 inhabitants . Darmstadt currently has 10 shelter places to 13 places through rented shelter apartments . The new building will close this gap.
City treasurer André Schellenberg adds:
"This important commitment from the city is feasible even in economically challenging times. Bauverein AG will build the new women's shelter, which will then be leased by the sponsoring organization. The city will cover the rent and operating costs, and from 2027 onwards, we also expect to receive federal funding from the new law on violence assistance."
Why a new building is necessary
The new building became necessary because the current building no longer meets the increasing demands. The existing location is too small for the planned expansion, and the existing building structure would also require extensive renovation and modernization .
Particular attention is paid to accessibility in order to offer women with mobility impairments a safe haven. Previously, the women's shelter had to repeatedly reject requests because the specific requirements for safe houses could not be met.
Dramatic figures: In 2023, 96 women and 92 children had to be turned away due to capacity reasons.
"From a protection and care perspective, the required number of places cannot be met solely through rented apartments," the city stated. "A central, secure facility is needed that offers the women and their children protection and future prospects."
Outlook: Implementation by 2026, operation starts in 2027
With this decision, the city council has taken a decisive step towards protecting women and children in Darmstadt . Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024 , so the new women's shelter can open 2027
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk)
