Refugee accomodation spearheaded by Hamm

In the city of Hamm, Germany, two Central Accommodation Facilities (ZUE) have been providing shelter for refugees. The ZUE in Ahsepark and the ZUE in Fischerhalle in Heessen have been operational since 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Built for up to 80 refugees, the modular construction in Ahsepark cost 2.5 million euros. Funding for this project came from the state's special fund, which is used to manage the crisis situation resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As of now, the accommodation in Ahsepark houses 15 people.

The ZUE in the Ahsepark, which is still operational, was part of the state's efforts to accommodate refugees. In contrast, the ZUE in Fischerhalle, which is currently occupied, was not funded from the state's special fund. Instead, it has been used by the state multiple times since its initial use in 2015, including during the first large refugee influx.

The ZUE in the Fischerhalle in Heessen has been in operation since the beginning of 2024 but will close by September 30, 2025. This decision has been met with criticism from local politicians like Cevdet Gürel of Pro Hamm and Sefika Minte of the Left, who view the city's decision to only accommodate people with a prospect of staying as a poor reflection on Hamm.

It is important to note that the city of Hamm is housing refugees in both ZUEs. However, the ZUE in Fischerhalle was not part of the "Safe Haven" program decided on by Hamm in 2019, which has not been implemented yet.

The state that provided funding for the modular accommodation building in Ahsepark is North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen). Meanwhile, the ZUE in the Fischerhalle, which has been rented out by the state multiple times, remains operational until its closure in September.

This news serves as a reminder of the ongoing refugee crisis and the efforts being made by cities and states to provide shelter and support to those in need. It also highlights the ongoing debate about the best ways to accommodate refugees and the role of local governments in this process.