Homelessness In Malta Is Alive And Kicking: YMCA Launches New Study With Real Stories
Malta’s YMCA has just launched a seventeen-year-long study shedding light on the reality of homelessness in Malta, and, newsflash, it’s alive and kicking.
The latest project, Homeless Human Evolution (HHE), sought to collect and promulgate a statistical analysis regarding the evolution of homelessness in Malta, based on the experiences lived by YMCA Malta throughout the years.
“Whereas for many, all these tables and graphs, numbers, and analyses are merely a collection and presentation of data related to homelessness as experienced by the YMCA Malta’s professionals and volunteers, in reality, for me, over the years, it was an evolving reality of people and experiences which can shock you to the bone,” YMCA CEO Anthony Camilleri said in the introduction.
Homelessness is a growing problem in Malta. Many factors contribute to homelessness in Malta, including rising housing costs, loss of employment, mental health issues, substance abuse, and family breakdown.
Homelessness is also a particular problem for migrants, who may face additional barriers to accessing housing and support services.
The study explores a multitude of definitions that homelessness can adopt, such as rooflessness, hidden homelessness, and transitional or institutionalized homelessness.
Within the study, a series of personal, real stories were included, illustrating how homelessness can impact anyone, regardless of their background.
Check out some of the YMCA’s own success stories:
Meet Carmen:
“Carmen found the love of her life and got married at a very young age. Carmen and her husband became proud parents of two boys and one girl but unfortunately, her fairytale marriage crumbled when she lost her husband just a few years into their marriage.”
“With three young children to take care of and no one to help and support her, Carmen found it hard to cope and come to terms with her husband’s sudden death. Since she had to take care of her children, it was impossible for Carmen to find employment.”
“So, with no income, sometime after losing her husband, Carmen ended up being homeless and sought help at YMCA, which offered help, support, and shelter.”
“Never did she think that she could also become homeless!”
“While living at ‘Dar Niki Cassar’, Carmen came to terms with her loss, rekindled her relationship with her mother, and was also given the basic and daily skills which she much needed in order to be able to live independently and provide for her children.”
“Today Carmen is gainfully employed, lives independently, pays all her bills, and managed to find love once again. From time to time she still struggles but she is aware that if need be, YMCA will always be there to help.”
Meet Tony:
“Tony, a forty-eight-year-old man was referred to the YMCA by a generic social work agency. He was a compulsive gambler who had been thrown out of the house by his wife.”
“He owed money to loan sharks and spent nights sleeping underneath his van for fear of being discovered by creditors.”
“He came to the YMCA and was offered accommodation, where he was then empowered to start work, and agreements were reached with his creditors, enabling Tony to pay off his debts at reasonable rates. He was also referred to Gamblers Anonymous, who worked with him on his compulsive gambling.”
“Tony is now living independently and managing his wage fairly well.”
Meet Jane:
“Jane was a victim of domestic violence who was thrown out of her home during the early hours of the morning. She is a forty-seven-year-old woman, with two children aged fourteen and twelve.”
“Shelters for domestic violence victims could not take her in because her children were past the age criteria. She went to a hostel but became very confused because she suffered from epilepsy and was not in possession of her medication.”
“This resulted in her being admitted to a psychiatric hospital and her children staying with difficult relatives. When she became more stable, she was discharged from the hospital and referred to the YMCA. YMCA provided her with accommodation, as well as a safe environment. She is presently waiting to be allocated a property by the Housing Authority.”
What do you make of this new study?
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