Municipality expects more homeless people in winter shelters this year: significantly more beds available

The city has announced a significant increase in its winter shelter capacity to accommodate a rising number of homeless individuals. Officials have prepared 760 beds for this season, a marked increase from the 500 places initially available last year. During a council meeting, Alderman Zita Pels explained that the municipality aims to ensure no one is forced to sleep outside, noting that they are well-prepared for potential further demand. In addition to the base capacity, a cold weather protocol can be activated to provide 440 extra beds during periods of extreme freezing temperatures.

Last winter, the city initially prepared for 500 people but eventually had to scale up to 621 beds due to higher than expected demand. Current estimates suggest that the population of people sleeping rough has grown, necessitating this proactive approach. While total numbers of homeless individuals in the city remain higher due to those staying in informal arrangements like storage units or with acquaintances, authorities are confident that their current planning will adequately address the immediate need for shelter during the colder months.