YMCA forecasts 25 per cent rise in homeless people seeking shelter

YMCA is predicting that by the end of this year the number of homeless people it shelters will increase by 25 per cent over the previous year.

Charles Cassar, YMCA's social work programme director, said the rise could mean that the actual number of homeless people had risen since last year.

A slight increase in the number of homeless seeking shelter in the first nine months of this year had already been witnessed, leading YMCA to believe there could be a 25 per cent increase by the end of the year.

Speaking at a press conference in Valletta, Mr Cassar said this could also mean more people were simply becoming more aware that they could approach the organisation for assistance. To be certain, he said, YMCA would need to compare figures with other homeless shelters. The YMCA, he insisted, had called for such "collective head-counts" but bureaucratic obstacles were "disheartening".

He would not elaborate but emphasised that YMCA was always willing to share such information.

Dr Cassar announced that the finishing touches were being made to YMCA's new shelter, located in Valletta. This will cater exclusively for unaccompanied homeless minors with problematic behaviour and conduct disorders and should become operational in the coming weeks.

He said 224 people were referred to YMCA for assistance in the first nine months of this year. Of these, 107 were not accepted, 66 were provided with shelter and 51 individuals eventually secured alternative arrangements or resolved their situation.

Dr Cassar said that in 2007 an average of 68 people were provided with assistance on a daily basis. An average of 20 homeless a day sought shelter at Dar Niki Cassar in Valletta.

The most common cause that drove people to seek help from YMCA was financial difficulty. Other factors included housing problems, emotional support and single parenting. YMCA encouraged the public to attend the Homeless Personalities event, which kicked off yesterday, where personalities will be "locked up" in Republic Street, Valletta and will have to secure funds for the support organisation in order to "break out".

To pledge year-round support to YMCA Homeless or for more information visit or call on 2122 8035. To make a donation of €4.66 send an SMS to 5061 8088 or an SMS to 5061 9212 for a donation of €11.65.