Wooden beams against homelessness: a controversial security concept!

Wooden beams against homelessness: a controversial security concept!

At the Dornbirner train station, a new security concept ensures heated discussions. In order to prevent homeless people from sleeping on benches, wooden beams were installed to prevent lying down. Daniel Truppe, a homeless person who is currently housed in the Kaplan Bonetti house, is outraged by this measure: "It is simply discriminatory. I'm already on the ground here." Helmut Leitenbauer, who also observes the Situation, adds that only a few people are actually forced to spend the night in this place. In the new measures, he sees a attempt by politics to ignore the problem of homelessness instead of providing active help. "If you do something like that, you have to see that people get a home," said Lieitenbauer, when he criticizes the conditions in freezing temperatures, among which some people have to live, "reports vorarlberg.orf.at .

political reactions and problems of homelessness

The city of Dornbirn reacted to the growing concerns and explained that the benches were primarily intended for passengers. Nobody has to live or spend the night on the street, as there are sufficient social institutions that are supported. For Ferdinand Koller, Managing Director of the Dowas Association, the wooden beams are a clear sign of rejection of people affected by poverty. He describes this measure as a symbol of the inactivity of those responsible in dealing with homelessness. "We have a good social system that should offer other solutions," emphasizes Koller. He also realizes that the mere presence of homeless people does not represent dangers to society, but rather could influence the security feelings of some people.

Koller reports on an increase in solidarity reactions from the population that are upset about the new barriers. "We have to break new ground in the emergency care of people," said Koller. Together with other organizations, he works on concepts that offer more self-determination and privacy, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and LGBTIQ+person. These approaches are crucial in order to create a better temporary accommodation system that meets the actual needs of people, as he formulated at a meeting of aid organizations. The current discussions illustrate the need for respectful and helpful dealings with people in precarious situations, which is increasingly questioned by the recent measures in the city.