If you don’t have a place to live...

...just a room would be enough, but even that is not so easy to find Freiburg. The demand skyrockets before the beginning of each semester, but the supply is limited. Student rooms are hard to come by, the dorms are full, and many newcomers ask themselves how they are going to start studying without a roof over their heads.

For this reason the Studentenwerk developed a program to ease the overcrowded residential market, the homestay program “Wohnen für Hilfe”.

The Idea

Many older citizens of Freiburg live in apartments which are too large for them, but don’t want to give them up. Often the upkeep is too much, and a little help would go a long way towards lightening the load. For example: grocery shopping, garden work, taking out the trash, carrying things, walking the dog, etc., such things as one would normally not employee outside help for. But often families and busy professionals need help, too.

On the other hand, many students in Freiburg cannot find a room and would be prepared to take on small household chores in exchange for one. Especially if they could receive a discount on their rent in exchange.

So what makes more sense than to bring these two groups together?

The lessors (seniors, families or other interested parties) offer a room or an apartment. An ordinary rental agreement is then concluded at the decided-upon, reduced rate. The services are then rendered by the student voluntarily according to what has been decided upon with the lessor.

As a rule of thumb, one hour of work per month is equal to one square meter of living space, plus extra costs for utilities (heat, electricity, water, etc.)

Getting Hooked Up

The Studentenwerk administers the living partnerships at no charge and can supply you with a sample contract.

Information and Contact:

Studentenwerk Freiburg
Nicole Krauße
Schreiberstr. 12 – 16
79098 Freiburg

Phone: 0761/2101-353
E-Mail: krausse(at)studentenwerk.uni-freiburg.de