Average stay in Saxony-Anhalt women's shelters rises to 69 days as housing shortages persist

Rising stay durations and capacity constraints

Women and children fleeing domestic violence in Saxony-Anhalt are remaining longer in emergency protection facilities before securing their own apartments. Data released by the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Health in Halle indicates that the average stay increased from 67 days in 2024 to 69 days in 2025. During that period, the overall capacity utilization across the state's 19 protection homes climbed from 77% to 78%. Shelter staff utilize this extended timeframe to help victims organize independent housing and achieve administrative and financial self-sufficiency. In 2025, these 19 facilities admitted a total of 496 women and 455 children, compared to 523 women and nearly 600 children in 2024.

Bottlenecks in the housing market and administration

Staff at the facilities report substantial barriers that prevent residents from moving into permanent accommodations promptly. A diminishing supply of affordable apartments matching the payment standards of local job centers has constrained available options. Bureaucratic bottlenecks exacerbate the problem, including extended processing intervals at immigration authorities regarding residence permits, as well as delays at municipal social offices and job centers. Financial challenges, such as outstanding rental arrears, frequently complicate the search for new leases. Sarah Schulze, the State Commissioner for Women and Gender Equality in Saxony-Anhalt, stressed the need to accelerate transitions out of emergency shelters through targeted support and easier access to safe housing.

Schulze also pointed out that specific demographics require specialized care within the protection network.

Vulnerable groups require more differentiated offerings.

The commissioner noted that these groups include women fleeing violence with older sons, transgender women, and individuals coping with addiction disorders. She urged continuous systemic reform to ensure every victim can obtain appropriate safety.

We must continuously develop our support system so that women affected by violence can find a suitable shelter regardless of their individual situation.

Demographic spectrum and unaccommodated inquiries

The demographic breakdown of admitted residents in 2025 spanned every age category, illustrating diverse shelter needs across generations. Among those admitted, 32 women were under 20 years of age, 157 women were aged between 30 and 39 years, and 22 women were aged 60 or older. Women with a migration background represented 48.8% of the total shelter population.

Despite existing capacity, facilities were forced to turn away hundreds of requests throughout the year. The State Office recorded 891 inquiries in 2025 that did not result in shelter admission. A spokesperson for the authority explained that 551 of those unfulfilled inquiries stemmed directly from a lack of available space at the contacted shelter. The agency clarified that this aggregate does not represent 891 distinct individuals, as women seeking refuge frequently contact multiple facilities and are registered repeatedly in administrative logs.

State funding allocations and regional expansion

To maintain emergency accommodations, Saxony-Anhalt provided 3,863,100 euros in public funding to the 19 shelter facilities in 2025. For 2026, the available budget was set at 3,870,200 euros, with organizations also permitted to request supplementary funding for professional translation and interpretation services.

The state currently maintains a total capacity of 118 protection spots. Beginning in September, the facility in Weißenfels, located in the Burgenlandkreis district, will expand its capacity from seven to eight spots for women, alongside twelve dedicated places for accompanying children.