More than 1,500 homeless people sleep on the street every day in the Basque Country, twice as many as in 2016

More than 1,500 homeless people sleep every night in abandoned streets or buildings, huts or vehicles in the Basque Country, twice asmuch as in 2016. . These homeless people who spend the night on the street are concentrated mainly in the three capitals. The number of this reality increases year after year, hiding behind the drama of migrants, economic problems, discrimination, family and social isolation and mental health problems, among others.

Of the 1556 people on the street in the ACV, 7 out of 10 live mostly in Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz.\u00In addition, another 2,700 are homeless but sleep in night shelters or shelters.

According to figures from the Social Information and Research Service, based on the count made in October last year, the majority are men (only 4% are women) and foreigners, in 8 out of 10 cases, mainly from North Africa.

They say they have come to this situation because of economic or labour problems. And 8 out of 10 declare their willingness to stay in the municipality where they live. Most say they have felt discriminated against because they have no home. Half say they have been robbed of money or property, 4 out of 10 say they have been insulted or threatened, and 3 out of 10 say they have been physically assaulted. There are also those who have been sexually assaulted (women in this case).

As far as resources are concerned, 4 out of 10 say they have no income. Of those who do, about one third receive public aid and another third have earned income from private sources, either from a social support network or from economic activity such as the collection and sale of scrap metal and construction. It is also striking that, although more than half are aware of the IGR, only 9% are paid.