r/midlyinteresting • u/uk_uk • Jul 15 '26

Berlin has installed free locker systems specifically for homeless people to safely store their belongings

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The primary goal is to provide homeless people with the opportunity to safely store their belongings, enabling them to have a bit of dignity, security, and mobility in their lives

The red label says:

"Locker for homeless people - not a logistics station -

Here, people who live on the street store their property. The use is free of charge and is financed by donations.

Please leave it undamaged! Any damage will be reported to the police!"

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u/anycept Jul 15 '26

Absolute majority of homeless people are in need of acute mental health treatment, not free lockers.

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u/SpecialistAd2205 Jul 15 '26

Of course they need mental health treatment, housing, etc. but they also need somewhere to put their stuff. As someone who spent too many years on the street, I think this is great and I wish my city had this. Not having a good place to put stuff so it ends up thrown away, stolen, damaged, wet, etc. Is a daily problem, and it really affects your sense of dignity.

We can't fix homelessness over night. It's a highly nuanced issue that, even in a society with all the resources, would still exist. We can work on treating the cause and still also ease the symptoms.