Some are empty

Few residents in domestic asylum accommodation

The former workers' accommodation (left) is now home to two families and is therefore around 60 percent occupied.

(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

Because applications have fallen sharply in recent months, there is little demand for new accommodation for refugees. Some reserve accommodation is even empty. The accommodation in Linz's Lunzerstraße, which was the scene of an arson attack last year, is now in operation.

All eyes were on the refugee accommodation in Steyregg at the end of the previous year. More than 90 fire department and police operations had culminated in fire-fighting operations during which female members of the volunteer fire department had been harassed. As a result, 14 troublemakers were relocated and the number of residents halved.

Rapid effect
This step proved effective: since then, there has only been one false alarm. "I am not currently aware of any problems," confirmed Thomas Fussenegger, spokesperson for the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services (BBU).

Fewer applications
As the number of asylum applications has decreased significantly since last year, some accommodation is empty or has been abandoned, such as the planned reserve accommodation in Unionstrasse in Linz or the former Ibis Hotel.

Lunzerstraße and Steinerkirchen in operation
The accommodation in Linz's Lunzerstraße, which was the scene of an arson attack in 2023, is now in operation. "The occupancy rate fluctuates between 70 and 90 percent," says a spokesperson for the Samaritans. There is also news from the old workers' accommodation in the center of Steinerkirchen/Traun: Two refugee families have now moved in there, according to Mayor Thomas Steinerberger.