There are 21 sleeping places available in the Roeselare night shelter, but they are full all year round. Almost all cities and municipalities have noted an increase in the number of homeless people in the last year. And that is disturbing. A week ago there was another action in Roeselare to request urgent measures with winter approaching. The expansion of night shelter is a temporary measure and will last as long as the freezing weather persists.
Cold open sky
Bart Wenes, chairman of the Special Social Services Committee: “During the period of freezing cold, we will expand the quota of sleeping places for homeless people from 21 to 42. We have a permanent location. But we now also have a public social welfare home that we make available. In any case, we have a full contingent here, including a large number of people who are unfortunately on the waiting list, 40 to 50 people who cannot find a place in the night shelter here. Some find shelter with a friend or acquaintance. Others are unfortunately exposed to the cold open sky and we are now trying to remedy this by temporarily expanding our shelters.”