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Homelessness becomes increasingly visible on streets and parks in Cartagena
Cartagena City Council has already provided support to hundreds of people this year
Homeless people sleeping in parks and public spaces have become increasingly visible across Cartagena this summer, with residents raising concerns about litter, hygiene and the use of some public areas as makeshift camps.
The Cartagena City Council has stressed that homelessness isn’t a new problem and that the number of people affected hasn’t increased dramatically compared with previous years. However, their presence in central parks and other public areas has become more noticeable, with mattresses, bags, blankets and other belongings sometimes left behind during the day.
The issue has also attracted attention following the death of a homeless man in Cartagena earlier this week. The man had reportedly hidden inside a rubbish container while fleeing police after an alleged theft and was unknowingly collected by a garbage truck, where he was killed when the vehicle compacted its contents.
According to figures from the City Council, 543 people have received support from Social Services between January and July this year. A total of 412 people have also used overnight accommodation provided through the city's support network.
Around 40 homeless people have been identified so far this year, most of them men aged between 18 and 45. Some have previously stayed at the temporary migrant accommodation centre at the former Naval Hospital, while others have been referred to longer-term support but chosen to remain on the streets.
The City Council has €170,000 allocated this year to a programme aimed at supporting homeless and socially excluded people. Social Services works with specialist organisations to provide accommodation and help people access longer-term support.
One of the biggest difficulties, however, is getting people to accept the help available. According to local organisations, some people refuse accommodation or struggle to adapt to shelters because of strict rules, addiction problems or other complex circumstances.
The Santa Teresa Hospitality Foundation currently has around 50 regular users, while Cáritas serves around 90 people at lunchtime and dinner. Both organisations say demand is broadly similar to previous years.
The City Council and local organisations therefore face a difficult balance between helping people off the streets and dealing with concerns from residents about the condition and use of public spaces.
Image: Archive
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