Due to the influx of refugees from different backgrounds, degewo, as a landlord, is facing new challenges and requirements in terms of integration. These include language barriers and new requirements with respect to living together as a community within the same building and neighbourhood. The aim of the largest municipal housing company in Berlin is to accompany persons with recognised refugee status in their transition onto the regular housing market, to facilitate the arrival of the new residents in its buildings and neighbourhoods, and to support local integration. On the one hand, this is achieved by offering support and guidance through the entire letting process and, on the other, by helping the new residents to form connections in the neighbourhood, the community, the labour market and local educational institutions.

The company's own neighbourhood management team has developed the model project "NeNa – new neighbours", together with the Marzahn customer centre, and has acquired Zephir gGmbH as a collaboration partner. With this project, degewo offers support to refugees in renting an apartment in the Marzahn district and in settling into their new living environment. Landlords and tenants are given support with the letting process by interpreters and social workers from Zephir gGmbH. The work in this project consists of three modules:

Module 1 – Initial contact: The tenancy agreement is discussed in the first meeting. The handover of the keys can be accompanied on request.

Module 2 – Advice: The new tenants receive support upon request after the handover of the apartment. This involves helping people settle into their new residential area, e.g. support in finding a place in a day-care centre, in finding schools, language courses, doctors, in looking for a job and applying for benefits.

Module 3 – Support for cases of hardship: If there is an increased need for support, e.g. in clearing rent debts or assistance in dealing with the authorities, then more intensive support is available.

The employees of Zephir gGmbH, the organisation that has been assigned the task of running the project, perform the following tasks:

• Accompanying prospective tenants in rental negotiations at degewo.

• Explaining the tenancy agreement and the house rules.

• Clarifying any further need for advice.

• Arranging offers of support both within the neighbourhood and externally, from various agencies, institutions, authorities, and schools, and regarding health, socio-cultural infrastructure and leisure activities.

• Providing advice and support in cases of hardship.

• Providing advice and mediation in conflicts between neighbours.

• Offering support in various different languages: Farsi, Arabic, English, French.

• The support service can be reached by telephone and online on weekdays.