Background information

Seeking to provide decent living conditions for hundreds of homeless people in the Greek capital, the Municipality of Athens opened the doors of a new shelter which can host up to 400 people and staffed by doctors, care workers, nurses, social workers and psychologists. At the Day Centre, residents will be able to wash their clothes and take showers, while there are also places where they can store their personal belongings and internet rooms, TV rooms and a dining area.

Content of measure

According to the announcement, the Homeless Centre opened its doors, on Wednesday, 8 April, 2020, to host up to 400 people in three adjoining buildings, staffed by doctors, care workers, nurses, social workers and psychologists. At the Day Centre, residents will be able to wash their clothes and take showers, while there are also places where they can store their personal belongings and internet rooms, TV rooms and a dining area. In the dormitory, the homeless can stay as long as they need. More than 100 homeless people have already expressed an interest in staying at the shelter and staff from the municipality and other organisations were assessing candidates and carrying out medical checks. Additionally, a team of the National Public Health Organisation will test for the new coronavirus and, in the case of individuals that test positive, they will go to an isolation area specifically set up for this purpose within the facility. The Greek Red Cross, the organisations "Apostoli", Praksis, Doctors of the World, Equal Society and others have contributed to the effort. The municipality of Athens said that the aim is a gradual re-integration of the people at the facility.

Use of measure

According to the announcement, the Homeless Centre opened its doors, on Wednesday, 8 April, 2020, to host up to 400 people in three adjoining buildings, staffed by doctors, care workers, nurses, social workers and psychologists. More than 100 homeless people have already expressed an interest in staying at the shelter and staff from the municipality and other organisations were assessing candidates and carrying out medical checks.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Local / regional government	Local funds Other

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

There is not any involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

No involvement.

Sources

• 08 April 2020: New shelter in Athens to open for the homeless (www.ekathimerini.com)