“Homelessness is more often a result of a social crisis rather than a lack of housing per se,” said Housing Authority chairman Marisa Micallef

“Every homeless story is a different one, and the range of services involved like Richmond Foundation, YMCA, Agenzija Sapport, Merhba Bik and others reflect the individual social problems faced by certain families.”

The Housing Authority grants Lm50,000 to NGOs and one-time payments of Lm25,000 for specific projects or for lifts/bathrooms in units that are rented out by their beneficiaries. NGOs have proven to be a formidable link in reaching out to many target groups, especially the homeless.

Besides annual grants, NGOs such as YMCA, Richmond foundation, Merhba Bik, Suret il-Bniedem and Sapport Agency also receive assistance in the form of housing units for rent/sale, specific grants for projects, subsidy on rent and repair grants.

The authority’s general policy of care in the community and re-integration into society tackles the numerous social issues that arise as a result of assisting the vulnerable groups in society to secure decent housing.

People with disability, mental health sufferers, victims of domestic violence and their children, children from broken homes, youth in need of emergency housing and youth leaving residential care are all prone to homelessness in varying degrees.

The authority passes on units to Department of Social Housing to be rented out to applicants on its waiting list.

Another project run by the authority is called Headstart. It is an EU project falling under the European Social Fund and supports a group of young people leaving residential care and becoming independent.

The youths are given trade-skills training, access to subsidised housing, mentoring and help in finding permanent gainful employment.