HOMELESS FOR CHRISTMAS

Winter months see more people seeking shelter since they cannot sleep in their cars - YMCA

“Unlike the summer months, when the ‘working homeless’ can sleep in their cars or on the beach, the winter months’ fall in temperature brings an increase in the number of people coming to our shelters,” says Anthony Camilleri from the YMCA, who points out that there has been an increase in the number of people seeking shelter this year.

He said that the YMCA had received 282 referrals up to the end of September this year, equivalent to almost one person a day. However, despite these 282 referrals, it can only accommodate 30 residents on a daily basis, so most of the time all it can do is recommend other shelters. Statistics taken from the Intake and Family Support Service (IFSS) and Support Line 179, highlight the fact that, from January to June this year, around 28 per cent of new and re-contact cases were opened at IFSS reporting homelessness, which already exceeded the 2017 figure of 25 per cent.

Camilleri said that they have accepted and provided help to 102 new cases, of whom 33 were young people under the age of 24 (including seven 7 minors under the age of 18). Statistics from the IFSS show that it is in the 20-34 age group where it is is most common to find someone homeless. As many as 18.5 per cent of 20-24 year olds are currently homeless (ie, users who had been homeless for one to seven days prior to the data collection). The statistics also show that more women (52 per cent) were registered as homeless than males (48 per cent).

There are many circumstances that lead to homelessness, from financial to family issues. Financial issues, such as earning only a low income and not being able to afford high rentals, has been a topic of considerable discussion for the past

year and has also been linked to the rise in homelessness. Camilleri pointed out that this year the main reason for people becoming homeless is ‘family issues’ such as arguments between couples, siblings and/or parents and children. Domestic violence has also led to more women leaving the home and ending up with no emotional or financial help, which reflects how certain circumstances are interlinked together and highlights the difficulty of pin-pointing the exact reasons as to why there has been an increase in the number of people seeking shelter.

Camilleri also highlighted immigration as one of the reasons leading to homelessness. One case alone this year showed 120 migrants being made homeless after they had to leave the disused cow farm in Qormi, for which they were each paying €200 a month. The IFSS statistics showed that 5.3 per cent of these were from Ukraine and 5.7 per cent from The Philippines.

Homelessness has been the subject of numerous conferences and discussions by various lobby groups and organisations to raise awareness regarding the delicate subject and social workers, academics and social mentors are working hard to address the situation that Malta is currently facing.

Camilleri says that, particularly during this festive season, food is always needed and monetary donations help the YMCA to provide this service. It is also asking people to volunteer to support and help those who are going through a difficult time, regardless of the time of year.

Also this month, the organisation has organised a unique installation to collect money at the Embassy Complex in Valletta, intended to help those who are in need this festive season.