The Lisbon City Council (CML) announced this Wednesday the approval of a support package for the protection and care of the homeless, worth around 1.3 million euros.
“This now approved package is in addition to the seven million euros already allocated this year by CML to this area,” the municipality said in a statement.
On Wednesday, at a closed meeting of the executive body of the city council, proposals for the protection and care of the homeless were approved in the amount of about 1.3 million euros, which represents the amount of financial support to be provided.
The proposals submitted by the Counselor for Human and Social Rights Sophia Ataide (CDS-PP) concern several associations active in this field, namely Ares do Pinhal — Association for the Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts, Crescer na Maior — Association for Community Intervention, Centro Social Army Rescue, VITAE – International Association for Solidarity and Development and João 13 – Association for Support and Services for People in Need and Association for Autonomous Living.
The same meeting also approved the allocation of support “in the amount of 190,219.02 euros” for a project to accompany and simultaneously integrate 60 refugees and/or applicants for international protection in temporary self-contained housing, as provided for in the Municipal Reception Program refugees (PMAR Lx).
“This approved package of measures will also be complemented by other support aimed at helping civil society actors on the ground to continue the decent work they are doing in the city, in particular in a critical area in terms of caring for the most needy and homeless citizens,” City Council member Sophia Atheide, quoted in the statement, said.
In the Lisbon municipal budget for 2023, the Lisbon Chamber provides four million euros to help the homeless (a 34% increase compared to 2022).
Due to bad weather, the Lisbon City Council announced on Wednesday the activation of a contingency plan for the homeless who request temporary shelter.
In a Facebook post, the Municipality of Lisbon, chaired by Social Democrat Carlos Moedas, indicates that since Tuesday, several people have already been accommodated at the Municipal Reception and Emergency Center of Santa Barbara, at the Xabregas Temporary Accommodation Center and at the Beato Temporary Housing Center.
Users had access to hot meals, hygiene and medical care, according to the city council.
The municipality also notes that “in addition to the daily work being done, support groups remain on the street and can direct anyone who wants to go to emergency rooms.”
In a conversation with Lusa on Tuesday, Misericordia Parish Council President Carla Madeira (PS) expressed concern about the Lisbon Chamber’s lack of response to the homeless.
“We see appeals, and today [terça-feira] The authorities have repeatedly urged people to stay at home, and the fact that there are many homeless people in our city with nowhere to go is completely ignored,” said Carla Madeira.
Intense and relentless rain on Tuesday caused more than 3,000 accidents, including floods, tree falls and cut roads, affecting mainly the areas of Lisbon, Setubal, Portalegre and Santarem.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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