DAK- en thuisloosheid in West-Friesland: Eti s chocolate vibrating!

DAK- en thuisloosheid in West-Friesland: Eti s chocolate vibrating!

In West-Friesland there are currently 559 homeless people, including almost a third of women and 16 percent children. The largest group of those affected comes from Hoorn, followed by Enkhuizen. These figures come from a survey carried out by the Kansfonds and the Hotschool Utrecht. Many people who are affected by homelessness do not live on the street or in special accommodations, but spend the night with friends, family acquaintances or can be found in difficult living conditions, such as in a car or on a campsite.

A concise example is the story of ETI, who had to spend the night with her two little sons, who are almost eight and five years old, in a three-person tent. She describes this time as one of the deepest points in her life. "At that moment I realized that homelessness can meet everyone, even me," she said. Just when winter came in and the temperatures fell, life in the tent became almost unbearable, especially for the children. In her gratitude, she talks about how important it was to have friends at her side who helped them in this difficult time.

challenges and help offers

Despite their efforts to find support, ETI had to struggle with many hurdles. She turned to different organizations, but the necessary help failed. "Nobody could help, although as a mother I wanted to do everything for my children's well -being," said her frustrating experience. A particularly difficult moment for her was a visit to the police station, where she asked for help. "We stood on the street and didn't know what we should do. I thought we would find support there, but we only got a glass of water. I was told that they were not a mediation office," she continued.

Aktuell lives with her sons at a campsite in West Friesland. Your caravan may be small, but offers a roof over your head, which in your situation is an important step towards more stability. Their history is an urgent indication of the hidden dimension of homelessness and how easily it can also affect people in apparently secure living conditions.

The survey makes it clear that there is not only a problem of homelessness in the region, but also a growing challenge for institutions to provide suitable help. The fact that many affected people live in very precarious conditions should focus on the need for an improved support systems. Anyone who thinks that homelessness is a marginal phenomenon should take these stories and think about how often it happens in secret.

The numbers from the survey also show that in addition to the known cases of homeless people on the street, an enormous part of those affected remains invisible. The problem does not only occur in the urban centers; It runs through all social classes and can affect everyone, regardless of income or background. In view of these facts, it becomes clear that a common approach is necessary to counteract the problem and give people like ETI a chance of a better life.

The conversations about the causes and possible solutions of homelessness are far from complete. However, the reports of those affected such as ETI can help society develop a better understanding of the deep and often painful challenges with which homeless people are faced. According to the report, the current situation underlines the urgency not only to find short -term solutions, but also to develop long -term measures that help pack this complex problem at the root.