By Mareike Sophie Drünkler
BZ on-site appointment in Marzahn-Hellersdorf. More precisely: in the zip code area 12689. Twice as many people are in debt here as in the rest of Berlin. Why?
The facts: While the over-indebtedness rate in Berlin is an average of 10.47 percent and the Marzahn-Hellersdorf district as a whole is still behind Spandau (13.67) at 13.25 percent, the figure around the Ahrensfelde S-Bahn station is 20.72 percent of people in debt. Every 5th!
“The value is about the same as in previous years. To be honest, we feared that it would increase further,” says City Councilor for Social Affairs Nadja Zivkovic (44, CDU). “One reason for the high value in the postcode area is the high unemployment rate of 13 percent – that’s almost twice as high as in the rest of Berlin.”
What is the district doing about it? Zivkovic, who is also Deputy Mayor: “Of course we are aware of the problem. That is why we are also very active on site with social work in the district centers, now also with larger funds.”
How is life in the debt neighborhood of 12689? BZ spoke to local residents.
Peter Edel (62, retired police officer)
Peter Edel Photo: Ralf Guenther
“I’ve lived here since 1985 and I can see how the district has changed since then. There are fewer and fewer restaurants and even the bowling club had to close. Luckily I don’t have any debts because I’ve made good provisions. But my rent was also increased four times in 2022 alone. There are also many large families living in my neighborhood. They cannot pay the expensive rents, gas prices and groceries.”
Anne Tamkus (32, waitress)
Anne Tamkus Photo: Ralf Guenther
“I grew up here. And of course I know that we are the area with the most debt. It does not surprise me. Actually everyone has debts here these days. I owe more than 10,000 euros and recently filed for personal bankruptcy. Actually, it’s my ex-boyfriend’s debt. He bought the furniture for our new apartment ten years ago, but couldn’t pay for it. But I didn’t know enough then either. I became a mother very early and I didn’t learn anything about money management from my parents. That’s how it is for many people here. I think you should learn such things in school. I know better now. I want to talk to my kids and show them how to save and that anything is possible.”
Marvin Stiehl (24, gardener and landscaper)
Marvin Stiehl Photo: Ralf Guenther
“Although I was born in Berlin, I’ve only lived in this corner for a few months. I moved here because there was no other apartment available and the rents are so cheap. And I’m basically very happy here. At the moment my account is a little in the red, but I’ll pay that off soon. Luckily I don’t have any real debt. Nevertheless, I understand how quickly something like this can happen – especially in times like these.”