Braunau: Asylum center in vocational school closed for the time being

A little over a year ago, the first 20 asylum seekers moved into the former vocational school in Braunau. At that time there were many worries – the location in particular seemed unfavorable to many, including political representatives, the OÖ Nachrichten reported. The building is opposite the Braunau Commercial Academy. Up to 100 people could have been admitted to the vocational school, but the full capacity was never used in the entire first year. The Federal Agency for Care and Support Services (BBU) recorded the highest occupancy in November and December 2023, when an average of 90 people were accommodated in the converted school building. It was mainly families who found asylum here, but hardly any unaccompanied minors.

However, the accommodation has been empty again since the beginning of March. “The care facility in Braunau is now part of our Austria-wide reserve capacity and can be reactivated if necessary,” says Thomas Fussenegger, spokesman for the BBU, when asked.

Summary after the first year: good. “We had a very positive experience with the opening and operations in Braunau; we are not aware of any negative incidents. Our relationship with the community and the neighboring school has always been and continues to be constructive and appreciative,” says Fussenegger.

HAK director Thomas Silberhumer also confirms this. “There were concerns at the beginning, especially from parents, but it was a very good neighborhood. There was always open communication and good cooperation with everyone responsible at BBU,” sums up the school director.

VP Mayor Hannes Waidbacher also blows the same horn, describing the cooperation with the BBU headquarters and those responsible on site as “excellent, one could say exemplary”.

Police showed increased presence

There were no police-relevant incidents in the first year. The police have shown increased presence, which is likely to have allayed the concerns of the population. “There were no problems the entire first year, we were seen there regularly,” says Braunau district police commander Stefan Haslberger.

In the care facility, security staff, social workers, psychologists and nursing staff also ensure a structured daily routine for the residents. “There are strict house rules that everyone must adhere to. This also includes that they must be present in the accommodation between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.,” promised refugee coordinator Andreas Achrainer in the run-up to the opening. There were strict entry and exit controls in the school building, which is also a protective measure for the asylum seekers themselves.

As reported several times, the Braunau vocational school was closed after the 2018/2019 school year and the building has now been sold to a Braunau entrepreneur who is renting it to the BBU.