Values Day at BS11
Under the theme “Current Housing Situation in Hamburg”, Mr. Carl and Mr. Gatzen invited 20 students to take part in an engaging workshop focused on issues such as housing shortages, the rental market, and homelessness.
To kick things off, vocational students from the banking, insurance, and legal sectors were asked to position themselves on a taped outline of the city of Hamburg according to their district. This exercise led to a lively exchange prompted by questions about their personal living situations and any experiences or perceptions related to homelessness.
A subsequent quiz allowed participants to test their knowledge on topics such as average rental prices, the number of newly constructed housing units, the estimated number of homeless individuals in Hamburg, and facts about the city’s street magazine Hinz & Kunzt.
After the quiz, Mr. Carl presented some key statistics—for example, that the average rent for new leases in Hamburg is €15.62 per square meter, roughly 70% higher than the average for existing contracts (€9.16/m²). He also outlined how one might qualify for subsidized housing and shared several noteworthy facts about Hinz & Kunzt, the street magazine founded in 1993.
Following a short break, the group embarked on a 2.9-kilometer walk to the starting point of an “alternative city tour.” Led by Chris, a formerly homeless and alcohol-dependent Hinz & Kunzt guide, the tour highlighted key locations associated with Hamburg’s homelessness and drug scenes, particularly around the main train station. The tour concluded with a deeply personal talk at the Hinz & Kunzt headquarters, where Chris recounted his difficult life journey and explained how Hinz & Kunzt played a pivotal—what he called life-saving—role in his recovery.
A final group photo and a feedback session rounded off this thought-provoking and, at times, emotionally challenging day.
Mr. Carl and Mr. Gatzen praised the group for their stamina (one student clocked over 9,000 steps), open-mindedness, and generosity—not only was the guide’s fee covered, but a substantial donation was also collected for Chris.
Niels Carl & David Gatzen
More information about Hinz & Kunzt: https://www.hinzundkunzt.de
