Housing Authority assists homeless families

The Housing Authority is assisting homeless families by giving out 20 per cent of its housing units for rent to the applicants on the Department of Social Housing's waiting list.

The authority has amended its allocation policy to ensure those most in need of alternative accommodation, especially the homeless, are given priority.

It also takes into consideration persons with disabilities and mental health problems and those living in substandard housing conditions.

"Homelessness problems, in Malta particularly, are more often a result of a social crisis rather than a lack of housing per se," authority chairman Marisa Micallef said.

Ms Micallef said that the authority has long been a proactive partner in the fight against homelessness and it works to ensure vulnerable groups secure decent housing. She added that every story of a homeless person was different, and the range of government involvement and services from non-governmental organisations and others like Richmond Foundation, YMCA, Agenzija Appogg, Dar Merhba Bik and others reflected the individual social problems faced by certain families.

The authority grants Lm50,000 a year to voluntary organisations as well as one-time payments of Lm25,000 for specific projects or for lifts/bathrooms in units that are rented out by their beneficiaries.

NGOs have proven to be a formidable link in reaching out to many target groups, especially the homeless, Ms Micallef said.

The authority is also running Headstart, an EU project falling under the European Social Fund. This involves supporting a group of young people who are leaving residential care and becoming independent.

They are given trade skills training, access to subsidised housing, mentoring and help in finding permanent gainful employment.