Kolping Jugendwohnen

What Kolping Jugendwohnen does

Kolping Jugendwohnen (legal entity: Kolping Jugendwohnen Dachverein e.V.) is a German non-profit organization that provides affordable, supervised housing for young people aged 16–26 across 13 cities in Germany. Operated in the tradition of Adolph Kolping and affiliated with Kolpingwerk Deutschland, the organization runs three sub-brands serving distinct segments: Azubiwohnen (apprentice housing, funded primarily through Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe/BAB from the Agentur für Arbeit), Jugendwohnen (social-pedagogical housing under § 13 Abs. 3 SGB VIII and §§ 34, 41 SGB VIII, funded by local Jugendämter), and Studiwohnen (student and volunteer housing, primarily self-pay with some BAföG support). The portfolio comprises 15+ facilities with combined capacity exceeding 1,000 beds, including notable new construction (Berlin-Mitte, 104 rooms opening 2026) and major renovations (Ulm, 57 places; Nürnberg K2, 57 beds opened September 2024).

The organization's revenue model is a multi-stream mix of government-backed recurring funding (BAB via the Federal Employment Agency, youth welfare office contracts), resident self-payments, and donations from corporate foundations and individual donors. Primary customer acquisition is community-led and referral-driven through institutional channels (Agentur für Arbeit, Jugendämter, Berufsschulen, and Ausbildungsbetriebe), not direct consumer marketing. Residents are typically referred or funded via these institutional pipelines, with the organization providing furnished rooms, social-pedagogical support, and community living structures to prevent Ausbildungsabbrüche (vocational training dropouts) and assist transition to independent living.

The organization is led by co-CEOs Elena Stötzel and Henrik Beer, with a head office in Köln (St.-Apern-Str. 32) and a department structure covering Finance, HR/Quality, Construction, Administration, Berlin Region, Communications/Fundraising, Legal, IT, and Controlling. Staffing is estimated at 100+ across the network, though the careers page display reads "0+ Mitarbeitende" — a placeholder. Recent strategic moves are capacity-focused: the Berlin-Mitte new build, Ulm renovation, Nürnberg K2 satellite, and a deepening network of foundation partnerships (Vonovia Sozialstiftung, Sparkasse Duisburg-Stiftung, BBBank Stiftung, Nikolaus Koch Stiftung, Günter Joachim Petsch-Stiftung, Bonifatiuswerk, Ingenics Consulting).

Name

Kolping Jugendwohnen

Legal name

Kolping Jugendwohnen Dachverein e.V.

Website

https://kolping-jugendwohnen.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kolping Jugendwohnen Dachverein e.V. is a German non-profit operating 15+ youth housing facilities across 13 cities for people aged 16–26, offering three programs (Azubiwohnen, Jugendwohnen, Studiwohnen) funded via BAB, local Jugendämter, and resident payments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Housing Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

Keywords

• Youth housing services
• Affordable housing
• Vocational accommodation
• Social-pedagogical support
• Student housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Youth welfare office funding (§ 13/34/41 SGB VIII): Jugendwohnen (social-pedagogical youth housing) is funded primarily through youth welfare offices (Jugendämter) under German child and youth welfare law (§ 13 Abs. 3 SGB VIII and §§ 34, 41 SGB VIII). This represents the largest single revenue stream for the social-pedagogical housing segment.
2. BAB - Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (Vocational training allowance): Costs for Azubiwohnen (apprentice housing) and part of Jugendwohnen are covered through Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB) provided by the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). Residents who qualify receive full or partial coverage of housing and pedagogical support costs through this government scheme.
3. Self-payer rent (Studiwohnen): Studiwohnen (student housing) residents pay rent directly as self-payers, sometimes supplemented by BAföG (German federal training assistance). Azubiwohnen residents who do not qualify for BAB also pay rent directly. Rents are described as affordable and fair, with no hidden extra costs.
4. Donations and charitable grants: The organization receives donations from individuals, corporate foundations (Vonovia Sozialstiftung, Sparkasse Duisburg-Stiftung, BBBank Stiftung, Nikolaus Koch Stiftung, Günter Joachim Petsch-Stiftung), and community fundraising to support capital projects, renovations, room sponsorships, and community facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kolping Jugendwohnen provides affordable, furnished housing for young people aged 16-26 across 13 German cities, structured into three offerings: Azubiwohnen (apprentice housing funded via BAB), Jugendwohnen (socially-supported housing funded by Jugendamt under SGB VIII), and Studiwohnen (student housing primarily self-funded). Each resident receives social-pedagogical support, community living, and help with government funding applications in the tradition of Adolph Kolping's social welfare values.

Product overview

Kolping Jugendwohnen operates as a coordinated housing portfolio offering three distinct housing products for young people aged 16-26: Azubiwohnen (vocational apprentice housing), Jugendwohnen (social pedagogical youth housing with youth welfare office financing), and Studiwohnen (student housing). The organization operates across 13 cities in Germany, providing not only furnished rooms but also community, social pedagogical support, and a supportive home environment. The three products share common infrastructure (housing facilities, communal spaces, staff) but serve different target demographics with different funding mechanisms (BAB, youth welfare office, self-payment/BAföG).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kolping Azubiwohnen: Youth housing for apprentices (Auszubildende) aged 16-26. Provides furnished rooms with social-pedagogical support. Costs often covered by Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB) from the Employment Agency.
• Kolping Jugendwohnen
• Kolping Studiwohnen

Products and services

• Azubiwohnen Affordable furnished housing for apprentices (Auszubildende) aged 16-26 who relocate for their vocational training, accompanied by social-pedagogical support. Costs for housing and pedagogical accompaniment are wholly or partially covered through Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB) from the Agentur für Arbeit. Target users: vocational trainees in Germany.
• Jugendwohnen Socially pedagogical supported housing for young people aged 16-26 who need additional social-educational support, operating under German child and youth welfare law (SGB VIII, § 13 Abs. 3 and §§ 34, 41). Financing typically through the local Jugendamt. Target users: at-risk youth in youth welfare placements.
• Studiwohnen Central and affordable housing for students and voluntary service participants (Freiwilligendienstleistende) aged 16-26, seeking furnished rooms without shared apartment chaos. Primarily self-paying residents, some with BAföG support. Wuppertal also offers WG rooms for apprentices without BAB funding. Target users: students and voluntary service participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Prevention of Ausbildungsabbrüche (vocational training dropouts) through housing stability and pedagogical support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Kolpingsfamilien (Kolping Local Chapters)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Kolpingsfamilien (local Kolping chapters) across Germany actively support Kolping Jugendwohnen through fundraising events (e.g., Krimidinner by Kolpingsfamilie Verl, donations by Kolpingsfamilie Berlin-Lichtenrade, Kolpingsfamilie Hildegard von Bingen), room sponsorships, and community advocacy. They are integral to the organization's identity and community outreach.
• Kolpingwerk DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kolping Jugendwohnen operates as the housing arm of Kolpingwerk Deutschland, a 175-year-old Catholic social welfare organization. The relationship provides brand identity, organizational infrastructure, and alignment with Adolph Kolping's values. Alexandra Horster, Bundessekretärin of Kolpingwerk Deutschland, explicitly links the housing program to the organization's 175-year tradition.
• Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Agentur für Arbeit administers BAB (Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe), the vocational training allowance that funds Azubiwohnen housing. It is the primary institutional referral channel for apprentices and plays a central role in placement decisions.
• Jugendämter (Youth Welfare Offices)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Jugendämter (youth welfare offices) fund Jugendwohnen placements under § 13 Abs. 3 SGB VIII and §§ 34, 41 SGB VIII. They are the primary institutional customers for the social-pedagogical housing segment and contract directly with Kolping facilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Deutsches Studierendenwerk: The umbrella organization for Germany's 57 Studierendenwerke that operate public student housing (Studiwohnen) and dining across university cities. Direct competitor in the self-pay student housing segment and operates at much larger scale with public mandate.
• AWO Bundesverband: Major German welfare organization operating youth residential care, supported housing, and apprenticeship accommodation under SGB VIII and BAB. Comparable scale of youth housing operations and similar public funding dependency.
• Caritas Deutschland: Germany's largest Catholic welfare organization operating residential and youth housing services across Germany, including Jugendwohnen-style supported housing funded through SGB VIII. Comparable mission (Catholic social welfare), similar Jugendamt-funded placements, and overlapping target populations.

Regional players

• Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk (DJH): German Youth Hostel Association operating budget accommodation network across Germany. Comparable youth-focused, Germany-only operating model but primarily targets short-term stays and educational groups rather than long-term vocational housing.

Direct peers

• Studierendenwerk Berlin: Largest Studierendenwerk in Germany operating ~9,500 student housing places across Berlin. Directly competes with Kolping's Studiwohnen segment in Berlin and adjacent markets, particularly relevant given Kolping's major Berlin-Mitte expansion.
• Internationaler Bund (IB): Major German non-profit providing Jugendwohnen and Auszubildendenwohnheim services under SGB VIII across multiple cities. Direct competitor for Jugendamt contracts and Azubiwohnen placements with similar funding model.
• Evangelische Jugendhilfe (EJH): Network of Protestant-affiliated youth welfare organizations operating Jugendwohnen-style supported housing funded via SGB VIII. Comparable operating model and target populations with religious-affiliated branding parallel to Kolping's Catholic roots.

Emerging players

• SOS-Kinderdorf: Operates residential youth care facilities and supported housing for young people in Germany, partially overlapping with Kolping's Jugendwohnen segment. Different primary focus (children/families) but shares SGB VIII funding dependency and youth welfare mission.
• CVJM Deutschland: German YMCA operating youth housing and supported accommodation programs across Germany. Comparable Christian-affiliated, community-based operating model and youth (16-26) target demographic.

Others

• Bonifatiuswerk der deutschen Katholiken: Catholic charitable organization that already funds Kolping's Berlin-Mitte "Raum der Stille." Adjacent as a foundation partner; comparable Catholic social welfare mission and youth services focus across Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/azubiwohnen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kolping-jugendwohnen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kolping Jugendwohnen