Four men who use the winter arrangement in Hoorn are Adam, Daniël, Tomek and Christian. Until recently, they often slept with Patricia van Willigen from Hoorn, who has been concerned about the fate of the homeless for years.
She dropped two months ago tents up in the Hoorn park De Hulk and previously saw three Polish men were largely dependent from Patricia. “I haven’t heard that people are sleeping outside in Hoorn now,” she says.
‘Hope the situation will improve soon’
Adam gave an insight into life on the street. “I drink against the pain and the cold. Usually beer or wine, sometimes also vodka. I try to cut down. Sometimes I sleep on the square at Albert Heijn, near the station in Hoorn. Then I drink strong liquor, to avoid sleeping on the concrete.”
The ‘tent camp’ has now been dismantled, says Patricia. “Sleeping in a tent is not feasible with these temperatures. I hope that the situation of these men will improve soon. Because my life is quite turned upside down as long as they are with me. That is not a problem for a while, but it should not last too long.”
The extra shelter has not yet caused any problems for the Salvation Army, says Caspers. “The winter period places extra pressure on reception locations, employees and partners. Challenges include scaling up capacity in a timely manner, guaranteeing safety and guiding people with complex problems. This requires continuous coordination with municipalities and chain partners, such as in Zaanstad with de Regenboog.”