Roger Faber, president of Inter-Actions, defended last December 27 on RTL the decision to limit access to the Wanteraktioun emergency accommodation center for homeless new arrivals to three nights.
According to him, this measure was made necessary by the fact that the center’s capacities were exceeded last year. “We sometimes had up to 300 people to accommodate. The Findel building, which has 250 beds, was not enough and the army had to install additional heated tents,” explains the president of Inter-Actions.
This limit should make it possible to avoid tensions due to overpopulation. “When a structure reaches its capacity limit, action must be taken,” said Roger Faber. Overpopulation carries risks, both social and spatial. Luxembourg attracts people from near and far because of its supportive offerings. “Last year, for example, people came from the Netherlands, who had heard that they could stay here in winter.”
This is why the stay of newly arrived homeless people at Winter Action is limited to three nights, during which their repatriation is organized. “It was the least restrictive solution in this situation,” underlined Roger Faber.
Challenges for the First Call service
There are also challenges for the First Call service. The service supports people in acute emergencies every day between 5pm and 10pm. After the demolition of the old Thionville road site, the service is currently moving to a truck equipped with eight sleeping places. “The idea of the shelter only appeared when we were looking for a way to continue this work, of Streetwalker and of Premier Appel,” explains the president of Inter-Actions.
Finding a fixed location is proving difficult. “We have made two attempts, but the local residents are opposed to it,” explains Roger Faber. Many would fear that “unusual fellow citizens” would cause problems or lower property values in the neighborhood. This resistance complicates the urgent establishment of a fixed site for emergency aid.
Winter Action
Winter Action, or Wanteraktioun, targets homeless people and ensures that their basic needs are covered during the cold winter months. In 2019, a new fixed center with a capacity of 250 people was created for this purpose in Findel.
Goals:
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Providing temporary shelter
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Meals for people in need
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Access to sanitary facilities
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Care advice and other support services
Organisers: the Dräieck ASBL, made up of Caritas Luxembourg (now HUT), the Luxembourg Red Cross and Inter-Actions.
Partner: Ministry of Family, Integration and the Greater Region
This article was originally published on the website of Luxembourg word.
Adaptation: Megane Kambala
