🚨 Between 2016 and 2024, the number of homeless people in Portugal rose from 4,006 to 14,476, an increase of 260%. This contradicts the presidential promise to eradicate homelessness by 2023.
- Why it matters: The growth reveals the mismatch between social policies and the housing crisis. It also indicates that symbolic actions are no substitute for structural solutions.
🧠 What's happening:
Despite national coordination initiatives, the number of homeless people continues to grow.
- Part of the increase stems from improvements in identification and official registration.
🔍 Between the lines:
Experts recognise institutional advances, but admit that they haven't kept up with the pressure of the property market.
- The housing crisis appears to be the dominant factor.
🏃 To summarise:
The most common profile is Portuguese men aged between 44 and 65, with low levels of education and dependence on social benefits.
- Women are fewer in number and generally younger.
🖼️ The big picture:
Portugal has improved its diagnostic capacity, but has failed to contain the expansion of the problem without tackling access to housing.
💭 Our opinion: Without robust housing policies, the problem is likely to continue to grow.
Source: Público.pt