Emergency sleeping places in Salzburg also open in winter
The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. The upcoming winter poses great problems and dangers for the homeless in Salzburg. And the night temperatures in the state capital are only just above freezing point. It is only a matter of time before winter sets in.
Corona leads to restrictions
A year ago, around 110 people lived on the streets of the city of Salzburg. Current figures for this year are not yet available, because “the current survey is currently being worked on,” says Torsten Bichler, head of the homeless assistance department at Caritas, on Tuesday at SALZBURG24. In any case, there are a total of around 90 places in emergency sleeping places in Mozart’s city. The current situation can be compared with that of the previous year, because the capacity of the emergency sleeping places is still limited due to corona.
“We will have massive problems in 2021”
The days are getting shorter and the nights colder. The upcoming winter poses great problems and dangers for the homeless in Salzburg. Due to applicable corona restrictions …
According to the housing needs survey, around 1,500 people in the state of Salzburg are in need of housing. In addition to the homeless and homeless, this also includes those with temporary accommodation who are also temporarily living with relatives and acquaintances or who are threatened with eviction due to rent arrears. And in this area there was an increase of around 25 percent in the state of Salzburg even before Corona.
“Our goal is to keep people in their living space as we can,” says Bichler. However, this is counteracted by the high and constantly rising rents in the state. “For those affected it is often very difficult to get into a previously lost excerpt.” It’s a vicious circle. The main focus is on the central region of Salzburg, the surrounding communities are less affected.
Emergency sleeping places in Salzburg
There are three Caritas-operated institutions in the state capital for the homeless. In addition to the two year-round emergency sleeping places “House of Francis“and”Quit 7“(for young people, note) since yesterday, the winter emergency sleeping place has been exclusively for women in the”Elisabeth House“Opened its gates in Plainstrasse. 13 women can sleep, shower and eat here. There are still free places everywhere. Regular PCR tests are supposed to ensure the safety of residents and employees.
In addition to the Caritas emergency sleeping quarters, the city of Salzburg also has the “bivouac“the archdiocese, which opens when the capacities reach their limit. Only open during the day is the”Juice shop“from the Neustart association in Schallmooser Hauptstrasse, where the Linzer Gasse emergency shelter is also located.
Help for the homeless in winter
There is no cold bus in Salzburg. The cold telephone (0676/848210651, in case of emergency 144) can be used to report if you meet homeless people in Salzburg who do not have a warm place to sleep in icy temperatures. Caritas social workers come out on the clues to help. Donations in money and in kind, such as winter clothing, blankets and warm sleeping bags, are always welcome at all social institutions and organizations. Every helping hand is also needed for the multiple activities.
The State of Salzburg has all available facilities for people affected by poverty HERE and the Salzburg Poverty Conference HERE cited.
(Source: SALZBURG24)