According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, in the "Survey of homeless people", in the Balearic Islands there are 535 homeless people, of which 59% are over 45 years old. These figures of homeless people are just one more example of the housing problem in the Balearic Islands.
For some time now, HOGAR SÍ and Provivienda have been developing several projects to address homelessness with housing-based approaches. In addition to the innovation projects Housing Rights and H4Y FUTURE, several Housing First and Housing Led programs are being carried out on the Island, which in total help more than a hundred homeless people to have a home to give a dignified response to their situation.
In the development of these projects, not only do people from the Third Sector participate, but the involvement of civil society and, in particular, of homeowners, is also essential.
To explain these projects, the television program "Cinc dies" of IB3 (Public Television of the Balearic Islands), has interviewed three people linked in different ways with the projects: Adriana Dubçova, a participant in "Primer la Llar" (Housing Firts) in Mallorca, Andrés García-Carro, a homeowner who rents his home to the entities, and Eva Pons, coordinator of Housing First in Mallorca.
In this video, Adriana comments that she used to live on the street and now lives "as a dignified person, I have my rights and my peace of mind. If you have a home, you have many things that you don't have on the street or living with many people.
For his part, Andrés says that he has been able to offer his apartment to Provivienda thanks to the security it offers him and his real estate agent. "It is an experience that I am delighted with, because it has the double benefit for the tenant and for the tenant. For me, because it's a very safe thing, monthly payment, no risk." "And for the tenant, which is welfare. I am delighted for the part I play and, on top of that, to contribute to social assistance."
Finally, Eva explains that these projects are in the process of expansion. "We are looking for homeowners who are interested in renting their homes and real estate agents who want to participate in this project, which is a marvel."
From the entities we think it is important that all the agents involved help to guarantee the right to housing to end homelessness and that no more people live on the street.
Visit of the Secretary of State for Social Rights
These projects are endorsed by the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030. A few weeks ago, a delegation from the Secretary of State for Social Rights, visited two houses of the projects Housing Rights and H4Y FUTURE, financed with European funds.
This is just one more example of the support that housing-based solutions receive from different sectors of politics and civil society.
