Kristin Schaber introduces RUT: a project by women, for the women of Berlin.
RUT – Rad und Tat is a Berlin based initiative, located in Neukölln district. They have been taking care of women with workshops, psychological aid, and practical matters for over 24 years. The initiative’s focus is life of lesbians in old age. For several years now, RUT has been offering a service through which younger women can do the shopping for older ones, cook together and support each other.
The most recent project of RUT is a residential home in Berlin, where aging lesbians can live free of discrimination. With this project, RUT keeps its commitment to provide women at an old age with self-managed and affordable living through a colourful and diverse environment.
http://www.lesbischeinitiativerut.de/r_frauenwohnprojekt.html
The initial plan is to allow for 50 women aged between 30 and 80 to find a common home in the residence. They plan on having an integrated health care community facility where eight women with mental illness as well as intensive care ones can be taken in their home.
Funding the project and the mission to offer low rent is the biggest challenge for RUT. For ecological reasons, the residence will be built using low-energy / passive house techniques, also as an effort to reduce costs and maintain the project.