Affordable housing scheme 'represents hope' - YMCA
180 sheltered in first six months as facilities are at maximum capacity
The YMCA has backed the government’s affordable housing initiative saying it “represents hope” for the increasing number of people who are struggling to find a roof over their heads.
In a statement on Friday, the YMCA urged all stakeholders to “support solutions not obstruct them” as it highlighted the growing plight of homelessness in Malta and the severity of Malta’s “housing emergency”.
It said that in the first six months of the year it has already sheltered 180 individuals, marking a 53.5 per cent increase over last year.
Over 5,000 entries were registered at the YMCA’s drop-in centre providing an essential service with all its residential facilities at maximum capacity every month.
“While developers file legal protests, we're dealing with the harsh reality of Malta's housing crisis every single day," YMCA Malta CEO Anthony Camilleri said.
"Our 52 shelter beds are constantly full, with waiting lists stretching weeks. This isn't about legal technicalities but it's about people sleeping rough because they can't afford a roof over their heads."
Camilleri added that the foundation for affordable housing scheme “could be the difference between someone having a home or sleeping in our shelters, or worse, on the streets.”
As it gears up for its DAR fundraising telethon on September 20, YMCA pointed out that “prevention through affordable housing is more effective than crisis intervention”.