When students move in with retired people

DW (English)

Germany’s housing crisis meets a creative solution: The network “Home for Help” connects the young and old, turning loneliness into an inclusive community.

Transcript

00:00These three only recently became roommates.

00:04They met through a network that connects students with older people who have extra space.

00:12The deal? Sam and Mayo help out in Bernd's garden. In return, they pay less for housing.

00:22At the start of this winter semester, more than 33,000 students across Germany were still waiting for a dorm room.

00:29For Sam, originally from Gran Canaria and not a fan of big cities, Ben's house feels like hitting the jackpot.

00:36It's very affordable and very convenient. I would be living with two native speakers.

00:42But how does it work? Quite simply, you help as many hours as your room has square meters.

00:48Leo contributes around 10 hours, so he only pays the utilities. But Sam can only manage 5 hours, so he pays part of the rent.

00:57There are not so many working hours, so it helps me to unwind and relax.

01:02I was just the whole day in the hearing room. Now I'm really happy to come out and have fresh air.

01:08While Leo and Sam save money, Ben gets help with gardening that he couldn't manage alone.

01:14And a little life back in his house.

01:16Would this model work where you live?

01:21Would this model work where you live?

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