Germany's housing crisis locks Afghan and other refugees in limbo

Newcomers seeking better lives 'feel like prisoners living in a box'

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The lunchroom at an accommodation center for refugees inside Berlin's old Tegel airport in November: Germany's housing shortage is preventing many arrivals from starting their new lives. © Reuters

KANIKA GUPTA, Contributing writer

BERLIN -- Tight supplies of affordable housing in Germany are imposing a heavy strain on refugees from Afghanistan and elsewhere, often dashing dreams of better lives.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, Germany was among several European nations that opened their doors to Ukrainians. In 2022, more than 1 million refugees arrived, not only those fleeing the Ukraine war but also asylum-seekers from countries including Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

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