The package of immediate measures due to the attacks on homeless people is being further developed by the Vienna Social Fund (FSW).
Vienna (OTS) – Due to the physical attacks on homeless people, the City of Vienna has opened nightly shelters since August 12, 2023 – in addition to the regular offer of the Vienna homeless aid. At the beginning there were 50 additional places in the FSW day center Obdach Josi, but there are currently 110 places available for homeless people to stay safe at night. The last opening were 20 places in the FSW shelter Favorita night quarters especially for homeless women.
„The places in the shelters that were created within a short period of time have been well received. We have an average occupancy rate of 90 percent here. Thanks to the outstanding commitment of employees of the FSW, its partner organizations and FSW Obdach, we were able to create these offers in a timely manner. We have evaluated this offer of immediate measures every day since the start and have now taken a further development step in order to be able to continue to provide the offer of shelters for homeless people
“, says Markus Hollendohner, Head of Vienna Homeless Aid in the FSW.
Nocturnal shelter for homeless people: New location in the 2nd district
For the first time in its more than 30-year history, the FSW day center Obdach Josi opened its doors to homeless people at night. “The employees, both Josi and FSW Obdach in general, worked night shifts for almost three weeks and thus showed not only protection but also solidarity with homeless people, I am proud of that. It proves that Josi has rightly been an institution in the city of Vienna for decades
“, says Barbara Trsek, Head of FSW Obdach.
Since the rooms at Josi are primarily designed for the operation of the day center, an intensive search was made for alternative premises. “The nocturnal shelter will be closed from August 30th. moved from the shelter Josi to the Darwingasse warming room. Together with our partner organization Wiener Rotes Kreuz we can offer the same capacity here and, due to the physical proximity to the day center “Das Stern”, we can also offer users a stay during the day
’” adds Hollendohner. In order to convey the changed offer to the users in the best possible way, in the night from August 30th to 31st. operate at night at both locations. In addition to staying at the new location, there will also be the opportunity to rest. Waltraud Kothbauer, head of the Vienna Red Cross homeless aid department, adds: “We are glad that we can enable up to 50 homeless people to stay safely at night with the facility in Darwingasse. For this purpose, 4 employees will be on site from 9:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. during regular operation. In addition to providing care for those seeking help, it is particularly important for us to offer social proximity and care where it is desired
.”
Questions & contact:
Julia Riedler
Spokeswoman for Vienna Social Fund
Tel.: + 43 676 8289 20924
E-Mail: presse@fsw.at
