This neighborhood is extremely troublesome for residents of nearby buildings. Homeless people relieve themselves around the car, causing a foul odor in the area. Worse still, rats are said to have appeared there. “Shouldn’t these people be living in social housing?”, “Isn’t this also a matter for the sanitary inspectorate?”—our informant wonders.
Other people are also said to visit the homeless individuals. According to another informant, alcohol is often consumed there. Shouting can be heard and arguments break out. People often lie and sleep on the green areas near the car. Children playing by the block and estate residents walking along the path to the nearby store witness all of this.
Our informant says that this situation has lasted for at least two years. Just a few months ago, during the winter and severe frosts, he reported to the municipal police that homeless people were sleeping in the car. The officers came to the site, but the homeless individuals did not want to accept help.
How can homeless people be helped?
Homelessness is a difficult problem both for people without a roof over their heads and for local residents who experience the effects of their presence. When a homeless person is staying in a public place, sleeping in an abandoned vehicle or makeshift shelter, and additionally disturbing the peace through their behavior, it is worth knowing which institutions can help.
In the first instance, such situations should be reported to the municipal police or the police. Officers can check the situation on site, offer assistance and contact the homeless person with appropriate social services. In the event of a threat to health or life, an ambulance must be called.
If the problem concerns contamination of the area, relieving oneself in public places, the accumulation of waste or the emergence of a sanitary hazard, municipal services and the sanitary inspectorate may also take an interest in the matter.
However, it should be remembered that an adult homeless person has the right to refuse assistance if they do not pose a direct threat to themselves or others. This means that services cannot force them to live in a shelter or homeless hostel. This does not mean, however, that institutions are powerless. If alcohol is consumed in prohibited places, public order is disturbed, arguments break out, the area is littered or other offenses occur, the relevant services may intervene and apply measures provided for by law.
Effectively resolving such problems requires cooperation between residents, law-enforcement services and social assistance. Only combining interventions with an attempt to support people experiencing homelessness offers a chance for a lasting improvement in the situation.
