New women's housing project in Döbling: Hope for 79 women and children!

New women's housing project in Döbling: Hope for 79 women and children!

A remarkable project is currently opening in Vienna-Döbling that will sustainably improve the housing situation for women. The “Volkshilfe Wien hafen” is picturesquely located on the Danube, where the vineyards begin. This facility specializes in supporting women who often struggle with violent, poor or homeless living conditions. Here, 79 women and their children find a new home in a total of 30 apartments, which are designed according to the concept of an intergenerational community. Residents open the front door using an access chip and have to unlock two other doors to ensure a feeling of safety and security. 

The age group ranges from small children to senior citizens aged 72. The housing project has set itself the task of supporting women in particular who are in precarious living situations. A particular focus is on the integration of senior women and the provision of shared apartments for students and women in training. The aim is to offer the residents a stable life perspective: rental contracts here run for three to five years and many are experiencing for the first time that a contract is in their name.

A place of new beginnings

The concept of the “harbour” not only offers living space, but also support. The women receive support from three social workers who help them lead independent lives and develop long-term housing prospects. This individual help is essential because many women are structurally disadvantaged, often dependent on their partner or have to work part-time due to childcare obligations. Demand for the offerings has been high since it opened two years ago, and a waiting list confirms the great need for such women's housing projects.

The residents not only take care of their own needs, but also build friendships across generations. Together they care for plants and vegetables, which helps create a strong community. An exemplary story is that of a 69-year-old woman who was unable to return to her old apartment after the death of her mother and now lives permanently in the port. Here she finally has a place where she is welcome again.

Challenges in the helper system

When women in Austria become victims of domestic violence, they often seek refuge in special women's shelters. In addition to providing shelter, this facility also provides 24-hour support and advice. Tragically, many places in women's shelters are often already occupied, which is why the creation of alternative forms of housing such as the “Hafen” is urgently needed. Affected women have to find the right living space, especially quickly after acute danger, and are often dependent on social housing. The criteria for issuing housing entitlement certificates are clearly defined, but the available space is often not enough to cover demand, even if the federal and state governments invest.

In this complex situation, initiatives to promote social housing projects are also crucial. Funding from various federal states is available to create permanent housing for women and children from women's shelters. This is not only important for the well-being of the women affected, but also relieves the burden on the facilities themselves so that they can accept new people seeking protection. 

The “Violence Against Women” helpline is available 365 days a year and around the clock and offers affected women the opportunity to receive anonymous advice. The Munich example of “FrauenWohnen eG” or the projects in Nuremberg and Hamburg also show how specific funding can be used to implement sustainable solutions in social housing that are geared to the special needs of women.

In summary, it can be said that the “Port” in Döbling is a lighthouse project that not only offers women a roof over their heads, but also paves the way to a self-determined life. Here they receive the support they need to sustainably improve their living situation.

Keeping moving is the motto not only for the women in the project, but also for all the supporters and initiatives that work in the background. The “Port” is a promising example of how housing and social integration can go hand in hand.

For more information about the challenges and offerings, visit their websites courier.at, bmwsb.bund.de as well as Frauenhauskoordination.de.