As of October 1, support measures for people without housing are being expanded in Riga. Throughout the month, night shelters will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 18.00 to 8.00 and the number of seats has been increased. At the same time, soup kitchen services are provided, as well as intensified surveys of unfit places to help people staying outdoors.
260 places are available in Riga shelter: 90 in the women's section, 170 in the men's section. In addition, the Day Centre operates with 100 places and two mobile brigades that survey the city area, provide consultations and, if necessary, transport people to shelters or night shelters.
Riga municipality in cooperation with contractual organizations provides 678 more places in shelters and night shelters. The Housing First programme, which provides access to 25 homes for people experiencing homelessness, is also being implemented.
To ensure the possibility of receiving a warm meal, the municipality co-finances up to 650 servings per day in four soup kitchens and ten catering outlets.
In the cold season, increased attention will be paid to areas where homeless people tend to stay. Household stairwells, shelters, small gardens and other places in the administrative territory of Riga will be surveyed, and if necessary, people will be taken to shelters or night shelters. If you see people living in unsuitable places, let the police know by calling 110.
From 1 October to 30 April, the working hours of night shelters shall be 24 hours a day, if according to the information provided by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre at 8.00 outdoor air temperature is lower than -10 degrees or if the outdoor air temperature is lower than 0 degrees and the wind speed is more than 10 m/s.
Demand for social services has continued to increase in the first half of this year. The services of the day centre were used by 23% more people than in the respective period last year, but the services of the men's department - by 22% more.
The largest workload of shelters and night shelters this year was registered in February, when 607 people used the services.
Assistance is unsecured in accordance with the action plan drawn up by the municipality entitled ‘Provision of assistance to the homeless in adverse weather conditions in Riga’.
Information prepared by: Antra Gabre, Project Coordinator, External Communication Division, Riga City Council, e-mail: antra.gabre@riga.lv