Refugee Housing Projects

After arrival, migrants are distributed among the federal states (Länder) according to the Königsteiner Schlüssel, and then by the Länder to local communities. This distribution is provisional in several respects. As and when refugees are granted asylum, they will probably move from the smaller communities to major cities, hoping that finding a job, an apartment, and compatriots will be easier there.
Initially, migrants are temporarily housed in primary reception centers. They then move to the follow-up facilities. The goal, however, is for them eventually to find an apartment on the open market, although this is virtually precluded by the dire shortage of social housing, which is also in huge demand by households where jobs are often on the line. This results in a double shortfall, with locals and migrants competing for low-cost housing.
Jürgen Friedrichs, sociologist