Geneva emergency shelters fall short of demand

More than 750 people are homeless in Geneva, but the city has only about 500 emergency shelter places, SRF reports, citing the Swiss public broadcaster RTS. Limited stays mean many people return to the streets after receiving help.

People seeking a place must call a booking service, where three multilingual staff members handle an average of 150 calls a day. Demand far exceeds availability. “Yesterday we had only two places. Some days we have none,” social worker Gabriela said. “Practically all the shelters are full.”

Chris and Salomé are among the hundreds of people living on Geneva’s streets. They wanted to stay together with their dog, Ruby. “For us it was clear that the three of us should stay together: my partner, me and the dog. Being separated is dangerous,” Chris said. Salomé described the toll of sleeping outside: “You start to devalue yourself. You feel like you’re worth nothing.”

Those offered a shelter place can stay for 30 nights, then must wait two weeks before applying again. The Richemond civil protection shelter takes in 80 people every night throughout the year. Guests get a bed, a meal and access to showers, but must leave at 8 a.m. and spend the day on the streets.

Shelter manager Lorenzo Maggio said guests include people whose lives have been disrupted by a sudden crisis, people who are isolated or have health problems, and people with addictions.

Between shelter stays, aid organisations provide support. At Point d’Eau, a support centre, volunteers offer showers, free medical care and clean clothes. Volunteer dentist Sabry Sadfi treats people whose health has been affected by street life. He said some have severe jaw damage, often affecting their front teeth, which can become a problem when they look for work.

Social workers say they have limited options for people without regular residence status. “If someone does not have the relevant rights in Switzerland, we have to tell them that under these circumstances they cannot work here,” social worker Many Zola said. “It hurts and it is frustrating. We would like to do more.”

Habou, a young man from Mali staying at Richemond, said companies would hire people like him, but that working without a permit is impossible. “I have no choice but to sleep on the street,” he said.

Chris and Salomé eventually found a place at the only city-run shelter that accepts their dog. They can stay there for three months. “Now we are learning to live again, because on the street it is only about survival,” Chris said. He added that he was still afraid of ending up back on the street.