“I have the impression of seeing more and more”: Toulouse’s anti-homeless systems soon to be “rewarded”?

With the gradual return of the cold and the winter period, a question will quickly come back to the table like every year: the case of the homeless. For many years, the city of Toulouse has regularly been singled out by associations which complain in particular of a significant number of anti-homeless devices in its streets.

Each year, the Abbé Pierre Foundation presents a parody prize rewarding the cities that are least accommodating towards the homeless. The main rue Bayard, an axis well known to Toulouse residents because it connects Matabiau station to Boulevard de Strasbourg, has several peaks installed in front of shop fronts and could obtain an award during this ceremony “thanks” to those installed in front of the Lidl.

“It’s understandable that homeless people want to stay here”

“I feel like I’m seeing more and more of them,” sighs Paul, renting a bike parked in front of the Lidl on the street. The front of the store has been equipped with this device for several years, leaving no free place where homeless people could sit or lie down.

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“It’s understandable that the homeless want to settle down here. There’s a little recess for when it rains. And it’s still at the exit or entrance to the stores that they have the most chance of getting one or two coins” he continues.

“This is the France of today”

A few meters from the Lidl, John and Laura are on the street. Both do not understand that such installations could be legal: “It’s just to prevent people from begging. There, the brand decided to install these spikes, but this is precisely the place where the people are best able to give us something to eat or a little money” they explain.

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“I worked in the medical field before, overnight I lost everything. Begging is all I have left, but it’s forbidden. That’s France today” plague Laura.

For Fabrice, who alternates between the street and homes, this decision seems logical. “I can understand the installation of these spikes. It avoids people-related problems that arise here. I remember a time when Lidl no longer wanted to sell beers in cans because of this. They were afraid that people stay in front. The street is also full of problems, drugs, violence etc. It’s a way of protecting yourself,” he admits.

​​​​​​An upcoming reward?

On November 18, the Abbé Pierre Foundation will reward the worst anti-homeless measures listed in France during the third Pics d’Or ceremony. A ceremony during which Toulouse will certainly be compared to many other cities in France and internationally.