At least one homeless person a day seeks the help of the Maltese Capuchins at one of the Order’s shelters for homeless people run by NGO Suret il-Bniedem.

Suret il-Bniedem runs two homeless shelters: Dar Tereza Spinelli for homeless women and children in Valletta and Dar Patri Leopoldo Tabone for men in Gzira. Numbers for men and women are almost equal. Homeless people contact Suret il-Bniedem through government social welfare agency Appogg, Supportline 179 outside office hours, prison social workers or through other organisations, as well as by word of mouth.

The Malta Independent on Sunday caught up with Dar Patri Leopoldo coordinator Charles Mifsud, who explained that the statistics on homeless people in Malta are very vague because most of them do not seek help unless they reach a ‘no way out’ situation. Most homeless people are invisible in society, he said.

“Homeless people are those who have failed in every sector of life. They have missed every chance. A person could be born homeless or become so because of a personal situation that leads to homelessness. Such circumstances include marital disputes or separation, family rejection, poverty, sudden unemployment, residence forfeiture, vices such as addiction or gambling, or a death. Some have multiple problems. I think homelessness is often the root of crime and other serious problems. It is a long process that for some starts early in life, but it could happen to anyone at any stage.

“A homeless person’s trust and confidence is eaten into slowly, in a chain reaction. It begins when a person’s social network starts to wither, little by little. He or she resorts to finding accommodation with family or friends for a short while but can never call it a home and therefore cannot be completely independent. Not having a permanent residence results in not having a reliable address which, in turn, leads to being cut off from social services, employment or housing. How can a person receive correspondence without a permanent address?

“While homelessness can be termed officially as a loss of permanent residence, it is also a condition that involves a loss far greater than just bricks and mortar. It is not just one factor that causes it, and it is not just one that resolves it,” said Mr Mifsud.

Suret il-Bniedem offers temporary shelter to adults and adolescents who, for a variety of reasons, have nowhere to live. The service is also open to those who have served a prison term, a substance abuse programme or suffer from mental illness. A structured, supportive holistic environment is offered to reintegrate homeless people in society.

“Apart from a safe, secure and clean environment, residents are also offered a therapeutic programme that caters for the need to be understood and supported. They are encouraged not to be lazy and follow a timetable, in order to give a routine to their life. We also guide them to access services such as the unemployment register. This empowers residents to improve their situation by addressing the root of their problems that has led to homelessness. They are given hope for a better future, independent living and a good quality of life. The resident remains part of society, despite living in a shelter for the homeless, through the open-door concept. Although those who use our service come from all walks of life, each case is dealt with uniquely,” he said.

Capuchin friar Leopoldo Tabone, who was the chaplain of Corradino Correctional Facility, decided to set up a home for ex-prisoners who become homeless, after they have served their prison term. Thus the Welcome Home in Fgura began operating in 1997 and, over time, it started welcoming other homeless men. In 1999, NGO Suret il-Bniedem was born and today it is celebrating its 10th anniversary. As the home extended its services to a wider range of male clients, larger premises were required and the foundation moved from Fgura to Gzira (Dar Patri Leopoldo), thanks to the support of the Augustinian sisters. Eventually Dar Tereza Spinelli was also opened in Valletta for women in need of shelter.

The ultimate goal of Dar Patri Leopoldo and Dar Tereza Spinelli is to assist the homeless person to use his/her potential and reintegrate with the mainstream community through respect, responsibility and discipline. Without grasping these three pillars, those using the service will relapse.

The commitment of the staff, the referral agent and other agencies is essential, but basically it is only through the willingness and determination of the person involved that the ultimate goal can be achieved.

Suret il-Bniedem Foundation is registered as an NGO under VO/0026.