Housing for students with children in Paderborn
On this page you will find information on all aspects of housing benefit, housing entitlement certificates and finding accommodation.
Housing benefit
Eligible students
Housing benefit is granted to tenants or owners with a low income. The purpose of housing benefit is to provide financial security for housing that meets basic needs. Students who are entitled to BAf?G cannot receive housing benefit. There are the following exceptions to this rule:
Students* who live with family members (child(ren), partner*) who are not entitled to BAf?G on the merits. This means that as soon as at least one person lives in the household who is entitled to housing benefit, the entire household is entitled. This is also the case if the child receives citizen's allowance in accordance with SGB II and does not receive housing benefit for this reason.
Students who receive BAf?G as a bank loan have been able to apply for housing benefit since 1 January 2009.
Minimum income:
As the housing allowance is a rent subsidy and is not used for general living expenses, a minimum income is assumed. As part of a plausibility check, it is checked whether the person/family applying, including the housing benefit, has an income of at least 80% of the requirements of SGB XII. Anyone who does not fulfil this requirement cannot receive housing benefit.
Basis for calculating housing benefit:
The amount of housing benefit is calculated by the local housing benefit office according to
- the number of household members to be taken into account (§§ 5 to 8)
- the rent or charges to be taken into account (§§ 9 to 12) and
- the total income (§§ 13 to 18)
Application:
Housing benefit is only paid on written application. Approval can only be granted from the month in which the application is received by the housing benefit office. A rent certificate and proof of income must be submitted together with the relevant application form in order to prove eligibility. You can find out which other documents are required in individual cases from your local housing benefit office.
Further information on housing benefit and the responsible contact person at the City of Paderborn can be found here.
You can find the housing benefit calculator for NRW here.
The Family Service Office will also be happy to advise you on all matters relating to housing benefit.
Housing entitlement certificate
Due to their usually very low income, students are usually entitled to a so-called Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS). With the WBS, it is possible to move into publicly subsidised social housing. These flats are often cheaper than those available on the open market.
Members of a household who live and work together receive a joint WBS. In addition to married couples, this also includes other long-term cohabiting couples. The WBS is only valid for a period of one year and must then be applied for again. The following documents are required to apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing:
- Declaration for social housing by flat seekers/occupants
Here is another important note!
At the same time as submitting the application, it is possible to be entered on a waiting list for social housing at the City of Paderborn. If there is an urgent need for housing, e.g. due to pregnancy, the need will be given preferential consideration.
Contact details for the housing entitlement certificate at the City of Paderborn and further information can be found here.
House hunting
The birth of a child is often associated with a change of residence. Below you will find information on finding accommodation.
Halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk Paderborn:
Students with child(ren) also have the option of living in a hall of residence run by the Studierendenwerk. Only the flats at Mersinweg 4 are suitable for families. If a flat becomes available there, students with child(ren) will be given priority.
Applications and further information can be obtained from Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and Monday to Thursday from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. from the student residence administration.
Studierendenwerk Paderborn/Dormitory Administration
Name: Gülhan ?zbük
Room: 0.02
Phone: 05251/89207-630
Mersinweg 2
On the following page you can access the email contact form as well as the residence application form.
Further housing offers:
Housing offers from the entire Paderborn area are displayed in the entrance area of the Studentenwerk, at the AStA and on the billboards in the Mensa foyer. In addition, the local press such as the "Neue Westf?lische" (Tel.: 05251/29 99-0) and the "Westf?lisches Volksblatt" (05251/89 60) also advertise accommodation in the Paderborn area in their weekend editions.
Housing association
Housing co-operatives or housing associations often offer family-friendly flats at socially acceptable rents (including social housing). The following association offers flats in Paderborn:
Spar- und Bauverein Paderborn e.G.
Giersmauer 4a
33098 Paderborn
Phone: 05251/2900-0
Fax: 05251/2900-60
Email: info(at)spar-und-bauverein(dot)de
Homepage
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30-13:00
Monday and Thursday: 14:30-17:00
If you have any questions regarding your tenancy agreement etc., you can seek free legal advice from the AStA. You can find information on this under the following link.