despite the extreme cold plan, homeless families without housing solutions

The Bas-Rhin prefecture has activated level 1 of the Ggrand Froid plan, which makes it possible to open additional accommodation spaces for homeless people. A plan that remains insufficient for families forced to sleep outside.

The cold sets in in the east of the country. Minus 6°C Tuesday morning in Epinal, -4°C in Mulhouse, or even -3°C in Strasbourg. The Bas-Rhin prefecture announced on Sunday the triggering of level 1 of the extreme cold plan, which makes it possible to open additional accommodation places on a temporary basis.

State services invite anyone in distress to be reported by dialing 115. But this is not enough for the homeless and the associations trying to help them in Strasbourg.

“It’s a disaster”

Between the forty tents, a few fires break the darkness. This Monday evening, it is minus 2 degrees. Alex and Daniela try to warm up, their son plays in a down jacket next to the embers.

“The children are very cold. They are three years old, and the other is three months old. It’s a disaster,” she breathes.

Their child spent the day at school. Like every day, they called the emergency number, hoping to find accommodation. “We called 115, they said they had no place for the family. Every day it's: no room, no room… I don't know”, whisper these parents.

Volunteers without solutions

Places have been opened thanks to the extreme cold plan. Useful, of course, but insufficient for Sabine Carriou, volunteer in the Petites Roues association.

“It’s rather symbolic. This extreme cold plan provides for 13 additional places. More than 700 people call 115 every day. It’s a problem that is no longer even chronic but permanent,” she judges.

Day center hours have also been extended. A false good idea according to Stéphane Mourlame, specialist educator for Strasbourg Action Solidarité. “If people are warm a little longer, they are still cold for the rest of the night. On top of that, it exhausts people who stay open longer at the risk of having social problems and tiring volunteers. And we have no concrete solution behind it,” he points out.

The associations are urgently calling for the opening of a gymnasium, but above all for lasting accommodation solutions.