Winter emergency shelter for homeless people in Meerhoven opens again: ‘Already busier than usual’

The winter emergency shelter for homeless people in Meerhoven is open again. According to Springplank 040 director Thijs Eradus, it is immediately busy. On Tuesday, 27 of the 55 beds were occupied. It usually only gets busier later in the winter.

The winter emergency shelter is primarily intended for homeless people who are normally not entitled to shelter. For example, because they have no ties to the region. They are often homeless people from Eastern Europe. According to Eradus, there are now also a number of homeless people who can also be accommodated in Springplank’s other shelter locations. For example, on Fuutlaan and Bellefroidlaan. However, the organization has been struggling with a shortage of beds there for quite some time. A number of homeless people were therefore forced to stay in hotels.

That is no longer necessary now that the winter emergency shelter is open. “We can spread out again,” says Eradus. The shelter behind P+R Meerhoven on Noord-Brabantlaan will remain open all winter from now on, even if the weather (temporarily) gets warmer. When it freezes or snows, street workers try to get homeless people inside as much as possible. If necessary, extra beds will be placed.

Source: Ed.nl.