Limassol authorities are moving forward with plans to create a short-term overnight shelter for homeless people as part of efforts to strengthen social support services and promote reintegration into society.
The proposal was discussed during a visit by Deputy Minister for Social Welfare Tina Pavlou to Limassol Municipality, where she reviewed the city's social programmes and discussed challenges facing vulnerable groups.
Talks focused on expanding the municipality's ‘Schedia’ programme to include temporary overnight accommodation for homeless people until longer-term reintegration goals can be achieved.
During the visit, Pavlou was briefed on the municipality's social services, community programmes and the needs identified across the city. She stressed that policies addressing homelessness should go beyond providing accommodation and instead focus on helping people acquire the skills and support needed to rebuild their lives.
"All of this, when we are dealing with homelessness, is not about giving someone a place to sleep for one night or one week," she said, adding that the objective is to provide people with the skills and means that will allow them to get back on their feet and cope with future challenges.
Pavlou also said different social groups require different policy responses. Speaking specifically about homelessness and housing, she said the two issues should be treated as separate categories requiring different measures based on the assessment and recording of needs.
Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis called for closer cooperation between local government and the state, saying the city faces significant social challenges and is characterised by "two speeds".
Discussions covered homelessness, the elderly, migration flows, and support for pensioners and single-parent families.
The municipality is seeking to expand the "Schedia" programme through the creation of a small overnight facility able to accommodate around 10 to 15 people. Armeftis said a suitable building has already been identified and could be used for the project.
Authorities also aim to develop municipal social facilities, in cooperation with Social Welfare Services, as support centres for people facing financial, social or other difficulties.
Particular attention was given to the issue of loneliness, which participants said is becoming increasingly widespread.
Pavlou expressed satisfaction with the work carried out by Limassol Municipality and said the deputy ministry's objective is to strengthen existing initiatives and move from identifying problems to implementing concrete solutions through practical measures and timelines.
