Modern accommodation in Dusseldorf city center: Don Bosco house offers housing for 68 individuals experiencing homelessness
The renovation of the Don Bosco House, a community service centre in Düsseldorf, is well underway, with a topping-out ceremony recently celebrated. The goal of this project is to improve the lives of 68 formerly homeless individuals with special needs, offering them a temporary new home and a pathway to an independent life.
The newly renovated Don Bosco House will feature 62 single rooms and three double rooms, some equipped with kitchenettes, providing residents with a comfortable living space. The modern facilities will also include personal retreat options, ensuring the residents have a peaceful environment to call their own.
The ground floor of the renovated house will be barrier-free, making it accessible to all residents. The floor will host a bistro, floor kitchens, a landscaped inner courtyard, and a roof terrace, offering ample opportunities for community gatherings and social interaction.
The renovation is a significant investment, with a total cost of nine million euros, and is being overseen by Thomas Salmen, a former deputy chairman of Caritas, and Anna Gockel-Gerber, the current Caritas chairwoman. Gockel-Gerber emphasises that homelessness is a growing social problem, often an expression of a crisis, and the renovation of Don Bosco House is urgently necessary.
The Don Bosco House has been operating as a transition home for homeless people since 1979, and the renovation will ensure it meets modern requirements for living, energy standards, and barrier-free access. The house, which has been under renovation since spring 2024, is expected to open its doors to residents in spring 2026.
In addition to providing housing, the new Don Bosco House will offer diverse support services, with 30 employees from social services, occupational therapy, healthcare, hygiene, and housekeeping on hand to assist residents. The services aim to help residents integrate into the regular system, ultimately leading to a more stable and fulfilling life.
As the renovation progresses, the community looks forward to welcoming the residents of the new Don Bosco House and supporting them on their journey towards independence.
In the revamped Don Bosco House, the life of its residents will not only be positively impacted in terms of housing and comfort, but the focus on health-and-wellness will extend beyond their rooms, with diverse support services rooted in science being provided. This holistic approach aims to offer residents the necessary tools to ultimately integrate into society, promoting a more stable and fulfilling life.
