From three thousand to one thousand euros, a Syrian family in Vienna is on the brink of collapse.
A Syrian family of six is living in a state of great anxiety in the capital Vienna after losing the majority of their monthly income due to the city's decision to exclude holders of secondary protection status from social assistance, which led to a decrease in the family's income from about three thousand euros per month to only one thousand two hundred and eighty-five euros, an amount that does not cover the minimum living costs, especially rent.
The head of the family, Ahmed A, who is fifty-six years old, has been living in Austria for three years with his wife and four children, and he confirms that the family is at risk of losing their home at any moment. According to what he told an Austrian magazine, the family can no longer cover housing and energy expenses, amid a real fear of homelessness.
The family holds the status of secondary protection, which is a legal status that allows entry into the labor market but imposes temporary and time-limited residency. With the implementation of the austerity package approved by the city of Vienna, the future of this category has become unclear, after the city announced in the fall of 2025 that holders of this legal status would not be eligible for social assistance starting in 2026, a decision that raised widespread warnings from humanitarian organizations at the time. Organizations like Caritas and Diakonie warned at that time of the repercussions of the decision, pointing to the risk of losing housing, difficulties in social integration, and increased pressure on basic care systems, yet the decision came into effect despite those warnings.
In Syria, Ahmad A enjoyed a stable life, working as a lawyer and managing a private law office, and his family lived under normal conditions before the outbreak of the war. As the conflict escalated, his home and workplace were destroyed by the forces of the former regime, forcing the family to flee first to northern Syria and then to Turkey. During their years in Turkey, the family lived in a refugee camp, where the son, who is now seventeen years old, faced significant difficulties due to his struggle with autism spectrum disorder and was reportedly bullied repeatedly, according to his father's account. The other children also suffered from a constant feeling of insecurity and an inability to integrate into the surrounding community. The children's ages now range from thirteen to nineteen years.
After nearly ten years since the beginning of their displacement journey, the parents decided to seek a more stable future for their children, and in 2023, they managed to reach Austria, where they initially settled in an area near Linz. After learning about the differences in social support systems between the states, especially the right to receive social assistance in Vienna and not elsewhere, the family moved to the capital about a year ago. In Vienna, the family received a monthly support of about three thousand two hundred euros, of which nearly one thousand nine hundred euros were social assistance, in addition to rental support and child allowances. This income enabled the family to secure a modest home and continue their daily life until a decision was made to return holders of secondary protection to the basic care system.
In November, the family received an official letter informing them of the complete cessation of social assistance. Since then, the family's income has not exceeded one thousand two hundred eighty-five euros per month, while the rent alone amounts to one thousand one hundred six euros, not including electricity, energy, and heating costs. The family lives in an apartment measuring ninety-four square meters in the Semmering area of Vienna, where six people share three bedrooms. With this limited income, continuity in their current housing has become nearly impossible. In December, Ahmad A had to request a deferral of the rent payment for January, and he confirms that his ability to pay the rent in February is uncertain. The family does not have a social or financial support network capable of accommodating six individuals, while humanitarian organizations are working to help them find a less expensive apartment, despite the scarcity of available options.
According to the applicable rules, families are not allowed to move to a shelter under the basic care system until they have lost their current housing, which puts them in a difficult position between staying in a home they cannot afford or losing it and entering a communal housing system. Official data indicates that around 137,000 people were receiving social assistance in Vienna until last December, including about 9,500 holders of secondary protection status. The city confirms that the goal of the reform is to reduce expenses by about 200 million euros, while denying expectations of an increase in homelessness. In contrast, social experts warn that reducing the number of shelter places, alongside rising demand, could lead to actual bottlenecks, and they emphasize that losing housing negatively impacts language learning, psychological stability, and opportunities for integration into the labor market.
For Ahmed A's family, moving to a shelter is the last option, especially due to the health condition of the seventeen-year-old son, who needs intensive care and a stable environment. The son is currently undergoing medical examinations after health issues in his ear were discovered that require surgical intervention, while the mother spends most of her time with him in the hospital. In a message addressed by Ahmed A, he described his family's situation as a severe humanitarian crisis, emphasizing that the sudden cessation of social assistance without consideration of the family's special circumstances directly threatens their existence. With the temporary residency status set to expire next October, the family currently relies on limited loans and assistance from friends and relatives, including his sister residing in Germany. The head of the family expresses hope that his case will resonate with the relevant authorities, considering Austria a country based on human rights and social justice values, and affirming his confidence that his family will not be left to face an uncertain fate.