In 2018, there were 364 people on the waiting list for social housing in the county of Skarżysko-Kamienna, and the number of eviction rulings made without allocation of social housing was 18 (Regional Social Welfare Centre, 2019). This means that almost 400 people in the county are at risk of homelessness. There are various reasons for this: an unfortunate combination of circumstances, breakdown of family life, eviction; homelessness is also linked to alcohol abuse (Skarżysko-Kamienna Municipal Social Problem Solution Strategy 2016 – 2021). People in homelessness crisis require long-term support in the form of accommodation, but also healthcare, meals, occupational training, and assistance in finding an independent residence.
The project aims to create a support system for people in homelessness crisis in the county of Skarżysko-Kamienna.
We will organize meetings for people in homelessness crisis with live books – people who have overcome this crisis. We will open an Aid Centre to provide legal advice and psychological counselling, addiction treatment, healthcare, career counselling, and job-seeking assistance (individual track). We will provide training on community competencies (six meetings: Myself – self-reflection, my world, myself in a group, my neighbors, my needs, myself and finances). For representatives of local government and organizations, we will organize a study trip to the Bethlehem Community, where people in homelessness crisis renovated a house themselves. We will start an initiative for a resolution to acquire disused properties to help people in homelessness crisis.
Twenty people in homelessness crisis from the counties of Skarżysko-Kamienna and Konskie will make use of the Aid Centre. A minimum of two people will take up employment.