Best practices of inclusiveness, migration and refugee housing

Involving Volunteers - Neighbourhood Agencies International Social Housing Festival - Best practices of inclusiveness, migration and refugee housing Amsterdam June 14th 2017

DOGEWO21 - We offer good quality flats at affordable prices in Dortmund, Germany Our stock 16.353 units Empty flats (market related) 86 units In modernisation 107 units Total 193 units Rents Ø 5.20 €/sqm/month

DOGEWO21 - Investments Every year we invest great sums in modernisation and maintenance Investment in 2016 ca. 34 Mio. € (31.92 € per sqm)

DOGEWO21 - Developping Quarters Offer of flats according to demand A place to live for all ages Infrastructure for all ages Neighbourhood networks Support and advice in our quarters Services according to needs

Neighbourhood Agencies In 2013 DOGEWO21 started up neighbourhood agencies in different quarters of Dortmund The concept was developped in cooperation with Diakonisches Werk (charity organisation) DOGEWO21 provides location and covers the financial expenses Main idea: Create a place for neighbourhood activities mainly based on volunteers

Neighbourhood Agencies The first neighbourhood agency was opened in December 2013. We provided the rooms of a former pizzeria in the middle of a small shopping center

Neighbourhood Agencies Organisation: Social workers from Diakonisches Werk (one person full time, supported by part-time staff) Main aim from the very beginning: Encourage tenants and support them to start and run activities on their own Key points: The neighbourhood agency is open to everybody Strong support of social workers in the beginning Find and involve volunteers

Neighbourhood Agencies After a few months: Tenants meeting (about 800 DOGEWO21-flats in the quarter) Election of an advisory board of tenants (7 members)

Neighbourhood Agencies Advisory board: Members meet with staff regularly Each member covers a special subject such as culture, sports, church, social charity etc. The advisory board is responsible for a (small) budget Volunteers: Propose and run activities Support by social worker and advisory board Social worker: Main task is supporting, organising, distributing the monthly programme etc. Works mainly (and more and more) in the background

Neighbourhood Agencies Results: Only one social worker (half-time) needed Monthly programme covers events on numerous subjects, i.e. language courses, sports, discussions, painting courses, cooking together, kids‘ events etc. The programme for May 2017 shows 65 events! About two thirds of the events are organised and run by volunteers. Neighbourhood relations have become better Especially seniors state the agency has improved their quality of life

Neighbourhood Agencies

Volunteering in Neighbourhood Agencies – Role Model for working with refugees? DOGEWO21 is not responsible for giving first or temporary accomodation. Flats are rented out only in case of a residentual status (Minimum 6 months) DOGEWO21 has given accomodation to many refugees during the last two years - due to our extremely low rate of empty flats there is no concentration of refugees in certain quarters - we integrate into existing neighbourhoods We support voluntary work with refugees whereever possible – but there is no special programme provided by our company. Neighbourhood agencies are of course open to refugees as well.

Thank you for your attention Regine Stoerring +49 (231) 1083-258 r.stoerring@dogewo21.de