Homeless People

Amidst all the trauma at the moment a little good news ...

"The Algarve will provide a total of 123 beds in shared apartments for homeless people, in the municipalities of Albufeira, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Portimão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.

"The initiative's main objective is to take people off the streets and give them the opportunity to pursue an alternative life project. The National Strategy for the Integration of Homeless People 2017-2023 comprises three intervention axes, which aim to promote knowledge of the phenomenon of homeless people, information, awareness and education, the reinforcement of a promoting intervention integration of these people, as well as the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the initiative. The first protocols to offer this response to the Algarve region «were signed about a year ago» and «have achieved great success with the occupation of more than 80% of the capacity to receive the homeless."

 

It's a big problem here. When I worked in a nearby city I'd get to work at 8 a.m. and see people crawling from under bushes, with their blankets. It was right on the shore at the high tide mark so must have been cold for them.
It's good that the Algarve is trying to do something for them.

 

It can't be right to have people outside at night during winter.
Every town and city should have some kind of basic shelter in 2022 with enough capacity to offer to all of them.
But for the grace of God that could be anyone of us out there.

 

Absolutely.

Here in Newcastle, on top of state welfare system, we have an excellent charity run support in form of shelters, food and hygiene product distribution, and soup kitchens to name a few. Mental health support and volunteer advisors on everything from life management skills to claiming benefits correctly or distributing job interview clothes are active and well organised. I sincerely take my hat off here, these volunteers make such a difference to so many people- thank you.


However, a part of people sleeping rough do not seek the shelters for various reasons. Some are out there in the night to commit crimes. Some carry knives and other weapons. There is a group of rough sleepers very visible on the streets who lay low during the day with a cup to collect any coins and do their activity in the night. It's very, very scary to meet them even in broad daylight on the busy High Street.

 

We have the same problem over here. Particularly Toronto. They have lots of shelters where the homeless can sleep in a warm place but unfortunately many choose not to go there.

We used to use cheapie hotels for them but now they are filled with illegal immigrants and refugees.

It is sad.