Temporary Homeless Shelter to enter into operation in early 2018, announces Andreia Cardoso
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity revealed in Ponta Delgada that the Temporary Homeless Shelter will enter into operation in the first quarter of 2018. This investment is supported by the Government of the Azores in about four million Euros.
Speaking during a visit to the construction work of this facility to be operated by Cáritas - São Miguel, which will work in partnership with Novo Dia Association, Andreia Cardoso stated that the intention is "to open this space as soon as possible."
The Secretary for Social Solidarity stressed that the Regional Government's concern is that this social response may provide "shelter conditions to a group of 60 men and women." It should also ensure the integration of users into life in community, which he considered "fundamental" and that will be assured through facilities with capacity for 30 users.
Overall, this centre will have capacity for 90 users. In this context, Andreia Cardoso stressed that the survey carried out with institutions indicates that this service will meet the needs identified in this area on São Miguel Island and, hence, this infrastructure has been designed precisely for this purpose.
For the Regional Secretary, "it is important to say that this is an innovative project, not only because of its features, which provide different responses, but also because it creates facilities for two institutions that will work in partnership in the same space.
Andreia Cardoso also said the implementation of a similar response on Faial Island is being studied. She noted that, although Social Services have been responding to all situations, the analysis carried out "justifies the creation of a small infrastructure intended to shelter some people."
Currently, there are 17 Temporary Accommodation Centres on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and São Jorge, with capacity to accommodate 254 users, as well as a mobile unit on São Miguel, with capacity to respond to 56 users. These services represent an annual public funding of more than 1.6 million Euros.