Homelessness organisations have warned that more Czech citizens are seeking refuge in homeless shelters as they face financial difficulties linked to the energy crisis.
In Czechia, a census commissioned by Labour and Social Ministry found that at least 270,000 people live on the streets, in hostels, shelters or extremely overcrowded apartments.
But the statistics do not yet show the impact of the energy crisis, according to Czech Radio, while the Prague branch of the homeless shelter organisation “Naděje” (Hope), pointed to the increase in people coming to shelters this year.
“We calculate that we have about sixty new homeless people a month. People, who did not come in the past, are coming now because they lived in hostels or shared or rented housing, and now they no longer have the financial means to pay for such housing,” the organisation’s director Daniel Svoboda told Czech Radio.
“So far, people are coming from here in units, but if the crisis continues, we expect a higher increase in these types of clients next year,” Svoboda explained.
As Czech Radio informed, some hostels and shelters are already at full capacity.
Meanwhile, the government has already announced that it will likely discuss a bill aimed at helping people in housing need which, among other things, would provide people with a one-time financial aid. (Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
Source: euractiv.com
