"Living for Help" as a new form of housing for students

Discover "Living for Help," a unique program in Koblenz where students live with seniors, offering daily support for affordable housing. Learn how this intergenerational model benefits both students and seniors.

Behind the claim is a project of the Studierendenwerk and the Hochschule Koblenz. Seniors provide living space and receive support in everyday life. This allows students to live cheaply or even rent-free.

The student Wafa from Morocco proves that this "shared flat" works excellently. She lives in the house of 80-year-old Petra Kiesewetter in Koblenz. The agreement: Kiesewetter receives support in everyday life from Wafa instead of rent.

There is enough space for the two in the large house. Wafa even has her own apartment. Nevertheless, they occasionally cook together or spend the evening together. Even when Kiesewetter's family comes to visit, Wafa is always welcome. The student is happy about the family connection and was warmly welcomed by everyone. "Petra also takes me and my schedule into consideration and understands if I have less time," she adds. That's why the two have agreed that Wafa does not have to do any housework or gardening during the exam period.

Not only the pensioner benefits from Wafa's support, but the student also learns a lot through the exchange with the pensioner. The two exchange a lot about life in Germany. Since Kiesewetter had to reorient herself again and again in her life due to many changes of residence, she has a great understanding for the student and admires how well she has built up her life in Koblenz. "Sometimes she complains about her studies, but then she can also put her problems behind her and laugh about them again," says Kiesewetter, "Wafa is such a cheerful young woman!"

Wohnen für Hilfe is a cooperation between the Studierendenwerk Koblenz and the Hochschule Koblenz, initiated by the KOSINUS (Koblenz International Students - Network and Service) advisory network and students from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

With the project " Wohnen für Hilfe ", the Studierendenwerk wants to establish a special form of shared living in Koblenz and the surrounding area: living partnerships. On the website you can find out about the special features of living partnerships. There you will also find a lot of information about advantages, application, mediation, trial living, contract and support.

The contact point at the Hochschule Koblenz is coordinated by Ms. Anne Dommershausen. She has been working as a senior employee at the Hochschule Koblenz for over 20 years and has been commissioned for three years to set up "Wohnen für Hilfe" at the Studierendenwerk. As project coordinator, she is your contact person for all questions about the "Wohnen für Hilfe" project.