„The occupation of the accommodation in Mallwitzstraße is an essential building block to enable Ukrainian refugees in the city of Bonn a good arrival and relieves the current situation. Nevertheless, the situation has by no means eased. Currently, more than 1,150 people from Ukraine are still accommodated in hotels and around another 580 people privately, and more refugees are arriving in Bonn every day. For this reason, we must continue to make every effort to expand our accommodation capacities,“ explained Mayor Katja Dörner when she visited the new accommodation on May 18, 2022, together with Carolin Krause, Head of the Department of Social Affairs.
The Municipal Facility Management (SGB) and the Office for Social Affairs and Housing have jointly prepared the building, which was acquired by the City of Bonn, for housing refugees. While the SGB took care of the necessary technical requirements, such as water and electricity connections, the Social Welfare Office provided the furniture.
Residents will be able to cook in the furnished communal kitchens and do their laundry in communal laundry rooms. Each household will be provided with a refrigerator. The rooms themselves are equipped with beds, wardrobes, tables and chairs.
As was the case with the initial reception center in Buschdorf and the accommodation in the former Chamber of Agriculture in the Beuel district, the Bonn District Association of the German Red Cross (DRK) has been commissioned to look after the refugees housed in the accommodation. At this location, too, a volunteer initiative of Lannesdorf associations and citizens has already been formed, which will support the city and the DRK in caring for the arriving people.
„We are relying on the proven cooperation with the DRK and the volunteer helpers* to provide good accommodation and care for the people from Ukraine,“ emphasizes social affairs officer Carolin Krause.
Donations in kind and offers, especially directed at the children and young people, are in the foreground. On the outside area the preparation of playgrounds is possible. Many rooms in the building are also available for childcare services.
About the property
In 1994, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia acquired the municipal building plot on Mallwitzstraße in Lannesdorf in the Bonn district for the construction of an Arabic school. Subsequently, the building of the „King Fahd Academy“ was erected on the property. The school use was discontinued at the end of the 2016/2017 school year.
In order to be able to influence the future use and development of the site, the City of Bonn expressed its interest in reacquiring the property at an early stage and initiated negotiations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The efforts were protracted, but ultimately successful. Based on the resolution of the Finance Committee of November 23, 2021, the purchase was notarized on November 30, 2021. The property became the property of the City of Bonn on March 21, 2022.
Current figures
As of May 17, 2022, the city administration has accommodated a total of 2177 refugees from Ukraine: 289 in municipal accommodations, 153 in apartments, 1157 in hotels, and 578 persons were placed in private accommodations.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)