Wohnrauminitiative FrankfurtRheinMain e.V. (WIF) is a non-profit and charitable association based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It was established in early 1991 by students from the University of Frankfurt and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, together with university chaplaincies, and entered in the register of associations on 30 August 1991.4
WIF was created in response to the severe shortage of student accommodation in Frankfurt and continues to focus particularly on housing for students and apprentices.24 Its activities include supporting housing initiatives, helping to create and provide accommodation, renting properties from owners, and operating and subletting apartments.9 The organisation works with private individuals, companies, public authorities, religious institutions, associations and migrant organisations.9
According to its own information, WIF manages approximately 290 individual rooms, apartments and, in some cases, entire houses, accommodating around 400 tenants.2 Over the course of its activities, it says it has provided housing for more than 3,000 people from 110 countries.9 Its stated target groups include international students, students with families and children, people combining study with disabilities, and women seeking a new start after leaving women’s shelters.9
The association’s principal office is at Große Rittergasse 103 in Frankfurt’s Sachsenhausen district, where it moved in March 2017.148 WIF also reports a presence at four locations in Hesse: Frankfurt am Main, Darmstadt, Bad Vilbel and Rüsselsheim.1 Its geographic focus is therefore the Frankfurt Rhine-Main area rather than Germany as a whole. The organisation adopted “RheinMain” as part of its official name in April 2019 to reflect its work beyond Frankfurt’s city boundaries.1
The team page lists Klaus Dorth, Guido W.