167 homeless persons seek help from Appogg

The number of persons who attended the Appogg Agency unit dealing with homeless persons between January and June stood at 167, family minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said.

In her reply to a Parliamentary Question by government backbencher Deo Debbatista, the minister explained that the number of persons who indicated that they did not have a residence or who sought help from the unit totalled 167.

150 persons had sought help from the Appogg intake and family support service, while 17 persons sought help at the community service centres in Birkirkara, Msida, Qawra and Valletta.

Moreover, the minister explained that the agency's supportline received 88 genuine calls concerning homelessness.

A further three persons sought help from Sedqa in relation to homelessness, the minister said, however these persons could have also sought help from Appogg and the number could be duplicated.

Apart from the government agencies, the YMCA Dar Niki Cassar houses between 25 to 30 individuals, 9 of which are young people aged under 18 years of age. The home houses homeless persons and is generally packed with persons seeking temporary shelter.