The Johann Daniel Lawaetz-Stiftung is a non-profit foundation established in 1986 by Hamburg's city government to address housing shortages and unemployment through community-led solutions. Named after an 18th-century textile manufacturer who pioneered the concept of "help toward self-help," the foundation operates from a restored 1802 building in the Neumühlen district.
The foundation's work spans three main areas. It develops affordable housing and manages neighborhood projects, having constructed six residential buildings with 90 units between 1995 and 2002 for formerly homeless families. It provides consulting and project management for urban development initiatives across Hamburg's districts. It also supports job creation, recently taking over responsibility for the Hamburg Entrepreneurship Initiative on January 1, 2026, which has served business founders for nearly three decades.
Current projects demonstrate the foundation's evolving approach. The Friedensallee development in Ottensen combines ecological sustainability with social responsibility through cooperative housing. A Housing First evaluation program tests whether providing immediate accommodation followed by support services helps chronically homeless people. The foundation also coordinates youth employment initiatives and evaluates social programs for the Hamburg welfare authority.
The organization employs multiprofessional teams working between citizens, civil society organizations, government agencies, and administrations. It has expanded into European grant management and research support, establishing expertise in program evaluation and knowledge transfer. With approximately 40 staff members, the foundation operates multiple subsidiaries managing housing and social enterprises across the region.