Twenty-six Ukrainian refugees at Seiml-Hof in Bavaria are facing eviction, sparking criticism towards the responsible district office. The refugees have taken legal action, filing a complaint with the administrative court.
Refugees at Seiml-Hof threatened with eviction
In Ilzham, near Traunstein, 26 Ukrainian refugees residing at Seiml-Hof are facing imminent eviction. According to the “Oberbayerisches Volksblatt” (OVB), the Traunstein District Office decided to terminate the accommodation contract they signed with Seiml-Hof in 2022. The contract was canceled in September 2023, leaving the refugees without official support and urging them to find new housing.
The refugees, however, did not accept this outcome passively. They filed a complaint with the administrative court, which allowed them to remain at Seiml-Hof for the time being. Seiml-Hof is known not only for its ecological farming but also as an inclusive business. Seiml-Hof’s manager, Fabian Wiese, noted that the group includes individuals with severe psychological issues, many children, and some people with disabilities. Despite the financial support being cut off after the contract’s termination, some refugees have since been employed at Seiml-Hof as interpreters, educators, or agricultural workers.
Dispute over appropriate accommodation
The refugees’ legal challenge has granted them a few more months at Seiml-Hof, but uncertainty remains. Wiese expressed hope that the Upper Bavaria government might reintroduce funding. There is also concern over whether the district office can provide adequate alternative housing for those still residing at the farm. District Administrator Siegfried Walch (CSU) defended the district office’s actions, emphasizing that appropriate and well-supported alternatives have been consistently offered but rejected by the refugees. He argued that the focus should be on the overall situation and its implications for the community and taxpayers, rather than on the refugees’ preferences.
High costs and political criticism
Walch justified the contract’s termination by highlighting the extreme costs, which ranged from €60,000 to €70,000 per month, and stressed that such expenses are unreasonable for taxpayers. He also noted that the property owner has always had the option to sign regular rental agreements with the residents but has declined to do so. FDP politician Sandra Bubendorfer-Licht criticized the district office’s decision, particularly the removal of disabled refugees from an inclusive facility. She called the situation a “drama” and proposed a round table discussion to find a solution, which Walch rejected. Despite the possibility of a prolonged legal battle, Walch made it clear that no new contracts will be made with Seiml-Hof.
