‘Home Here Now,’ Maltese Couple Make Birkirkara Garden Their New Home as Rent Becomes ‘Unaffordable’
A Maltese man has taken to social media to show off his new home – a public garden in Birkirkara – as rents become too unaffordable for many across the island.
“Hello – right now, our residential house is here,” says Rayther Vella standing next to his wife, turning his head towards the Station Garden in Birkirkara.
“Look what they fell into. You can’t even find a place to rent, with sky-high rents everywhere you look – besides, some landlords don’t even rent to Maltese.”
“Right, and nobody cares.”
Vella’s video, shot last night, highlighted the current rental crisis facing many working class individuals, couples and families in Malta – and the subject is becoming more and more widespread. , between allegedly homeless people being beaten up by local officials to Maltese students film making focused on fundraising for the homeless abroad.
In his video, Vella then turns to his wife, who is equally troubled that she is sleeping on the streets.
“It’s really a shame, a shame what we found here – rents I heard, €1,200, and now we ended up on the streets,” she said.
Vella turns the camera back to him, and ends with a message to the public.
“If there is someone who wants to join us tonight, they can come and stay with us, and I will say thank you – because tonight, this is where we will be.”
Online, people had strong reactions to the video, with one person saying the couple should contact the YMCA, while others tagged Housing Minister Roderick Galdes.
“I know someone who ended up living in a caravan,” said one person.
“I feel so sorry for you guys, I pray you find somewhere with decent rent… too much is too much,” said another.
Have you met homeless people in Malta? Sound off in the comments below