A temporary shelter for homeless people was activated this Wednesday, December 23, and will operate until the end of March, within the scope of the work developed by NPISA – Portimão Homeless Planning and Intervention Nucleus.
After the positive experience that took place in January and February at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia facilities in Portimão, this new shelter will occupy a space currently managed by MAPS – Support Movement for the AIDS Problem and adjacent to its facilities, located on Avenida Guanaré, next to to the riverside area of Portimão.
As a novelty in relation to the conditions provided at the beginning of 2020, and in addition to allowing homeless people to stay throughout the winter, who can stay there between 20:00 pm and 8:00 am, this new space is also equipped with a cafeteria, which it will allow users to benefit from a meal service, also having separate changing rooms, male and female.
To achieve this goal, a cooperation agreement was signed on 16 December between the Municipality of Portimão and MAPS, as well as the Parish Councils of Alvor, Mexilhoeira Grande and Portimão, the University Hospital Center of the Algarve, the Santas Casas da Misericórdia in Portimão, Alvor and Mexilhoeira Grande, APF – Association for Family Planning, GRATO – Support Group for Drug Addicts and the Portuguese Red Cross – Portimão Nucleus.
The protocol aims to implement, implement and create the temporary shelter, with a financial contribution from the municipality in the amount of 11.730 euros, intended for expenses with human resources and the functioning of the site.
Also in the strategy to support homeless people, MAPS signed an agreement this month with Social Security, which foresees the entry of Portimão in the list of municipalities that will adopt the solution of shared apartments for the homeless, which will make it possible to receive ten more people next year.
In addition, a special Christmas will be provided for those who need it most. Thus, in the festive season, and in addition to these measures of social scope, the homeless population receives clothes and warm clothes, as well as Christmas meals and gifts, with the participation of the local Red Cross nucleus. Portuguese, from GRATO, from APF – Projeto Rio and from MAPS.
Comments