Large increase in the number of homeless people in Kristianstad
At the night shelter in Kristianstad there are twelve places. During really cold winters they have increased with a few more places, in order to avoid sending out a homeless person in the ice-cold.
– No one will freeze to death in Kristianstad, says Radovan Javurek (L), Chairman of the Brottsförebyggande rådet - BRÅ (Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention) and the Work and Welfare committee.
But, out of nowhere, homelessness has increased. In October last year, three people were turned away due to lack of space. The same month this year there were more than 50 people.
The increase began after the summer. It continued into November.
– The cold is terrible. It's awful to enter a colder season when the situation is as it is, says Sara Larsson, Head of Unit for the Stadsmission in Kristianstad.
There is a large increase in homelessness in the whole of Sweden. Peter Sonnsjö, Manager of adult care, says that the increase is due to a new kind of homelessness, a structural homelessness.
- They have no substance abuse or social problems. They are homeless because of a lack of housing or other reasons, he says.
– We have been taken completely by surprise by this, he says.
The increase is not due to EU migrants, unaccompanied minors or homeless from other communes.
Quite a few of the homeless people who were turned away in October have the same problem as other homeless people, for example mental health problems and / or abuse problems.
It is not enough to increase the number of place at the night shelter.
– I see a need to expand the counselling service that helps to find housing, employment or jobs and new collaborations. Our goal is to assist the homeless to a more orderly life, says Sara Larsson.
At the same time, ABK has reported that more people are sleeping in doorways and stairwells.
Radovan Javurek does not like the development.
– As a politician, I get nervous, these volumes are nothing we can tackle straightaway. People should not end up in homelessness, he says.
– This requires analysis and action. We need both answers to what is happening and to look for solutions for this emergency situation, said Radovan Javurek.