Urgent need for shelter for homeless women

Women who are homeless can’t find sleeping accommodations at Stichting Bureau voor Dak- en Thuislozen because the homeless shelter has no separate facilities for women. Reza Doekhie, director at the foundation, explained that it would not be wise to put homeless men and women in the same room. The homeless women are given breakfast, a warm meal and the opportunity to take a shower but in the evening they have to leave so that the homeless men can spend the night. Doekhie pointed out that 5 to 6 homeless women visit the homeless shelter on a daily basis. “The number of homeless people has risen in the past couple of years. There are not only homeless men but there are also homeless women. But the foundation hardly has room for more men because that would increase our expenses.” The homeless shelter reportedly has 17 residents while about 70 homeless people visit the shelter everyday looking for breakfast or a warm meal. Doekhie previously pointed out that the rise in the number of homeless people is evident. “I understand why people would say that it is not a pretty sight but we can’t get the homeless people off the streets against their will. I would like to provide the homeless women with sleeping accommodations but I can’t say when this will happen.” The foundation reportedly registers about 1,000 people every year. Most of them keep coming back to the shelter. “For now the foundation can only provide shelter to homeless men.”