During the weekly meeting of the Coimbra City Council, held yesterday, the 2023 report of the Coimbra Homeless Planning and Intervention Center was presented (NPISA/C), what indicated that the number of displaced people in the city increased 77% compared to the previous year.
A small percentage of these numbers is linked to insufficient housing supply and to an increase of around 33% at the value of rent. In an interview with Radio University of Coimbra (RUC)The councilor responsible for social action, Ana Cortez Vaz, points out other causes for the problemsuch as the lack of family support, mental health problems andions of young people leaving support institutions Socialwhen they reach the age of majority.
The councilor informs that there are housing alternatives in emergency centers and people marked as “homeless” are staying the night in these shelters. Ana Cortez Vaz also states that the solution involves joint work between all the institutions that work with these people.
According to the councilor, there is an added difficulty in working with homeless due to associated additions. Ana Cortez Vaz explains that around 71% of homeless people are between 45 and 74 years old, and that addiction is very difficult to overcome at these ages.
Ana Cortez Vaz observe that the change in the mental state of homeless people is the main reason for the lack of adherence to available help. The councilor considers that the change in location of the Coimbra Solidarity Reinforcement Center (CRESC) – an entity that supports the homeless – is not linked to the increase in the number of homeless people and users who are “afraid” and “ashamed” of their situation, they feel more comfortable in this new place.
