City of Geneva opens 50 emergency accommodation spaces in civil defence shelter

In view of the falls in temperature forecast in the next few days and the recent snowfalls, the City of Geneva is stepping up its emergency shelter arrangements from the evening of tomorrow, Saturday 11 December, until Tuesday morning. 50 additional places will be available at the Richemont civil defence shelter. Priority will be given to families with children. 

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Including those provided by the City’s association partners, the number of places is currently 528. From Tuesday 14 December this figure will rise to 597 with the opening of two further sleep-ins managed by associations supported by the City of Geneva.

The number of places on offer has never been so large, but the unfavourable weather (snow, rain and wind) has caused the City of Geneva to expand its emergency shelter arrangements.

At the Richemont civil defence shelter, people have a bed and a warm meal in the evening and breakfast the following morning. There is a shower facility. At the Frank-Thomas emergency shelter (130 places), visitors are welcomed by social workers and have access to care on site thanks to a partnership with the Geneva teaching hospitals. 

Admissions are still organised centrally by the new emergency shelter solidarity hotline. People who are homeless and professionals in the health and welfare sector in Geneva can call 0800 22 22 10, 24 hours a day seven days a week.

City and associated facilities are full 

Right now the shelters of the City and those of its association partners (primarily the Salvation Army and the hotels run by CausE and Caravane sans Frontières) are full

By way of reminder, the new law on welcoming homeless people requires an unconditional welcome for anyone present within the boundaries. Christina Kitsos, the magistrate responsible for social cohesion and solidarity, highlights that once again the City of Geneva is providing shelter and humanitarian support to highly vulnerable people. “I appeal to shared solidarity that this public policy should be aided and financially supported by all the Geneva municipalities. This is a matter of treating everyone with dignity. Today more than ever, we are facing a real crisis.” 

Useful information 

In collaboration with its association partners, the Social Service regularly updates the website geaide.ch.

Contact

Manuelle Pasquali de Weck

Direction du département de la cohésion sociale et de la solidarité (DCSS)

Conseillère personnelle

Por. +41 79 446 40 13

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Article modifié le 25.03.2024 à 08:55