In 2024, 335 individuals were classified as being at risk of homelessness in Malta. But what does that risk actually look like on the ground?

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, YMCA Malta CEO Anthony Camilleri said that "many of these people are not yet roofless or sleeping rough. They are in situations where, unless something changes or they receive support, they will eventually become homeless".

The issue, he warned, is growing. "From our statistics and referrals, we are aware that the numbers are consistently increasing - and alarmingly so."

Most of the individuals who turn to YMCA are not yet living on the streets, but many are in inadequate housing, without access to basic amenities. "Some technically have a home, but because of financial constraints, they don't have access to basic amenities like electricity or water, and don't even have clothes," Camilleri said. Many use the organisation's drop-in centre simply to shower, eat or access social support.

These cases are part of a much broader issue. While 335 people were at risk of homelessness, 185 were recorded as roofless in 2024. "This is primarily due to the increasing financial pressures people are facing," Camilleri said. Among those in the most desperate situations are individuals sleeping behind skips or in dangerous and degrading conditions. "These are the extreme of the extreme."

Mental health problems and substance abuse are some of the most common underlying issues. "These categories are huge but often not spoken about enough due to the taboo surrounding them," he added. Camilleri stressed that homelessness is rarely caused by a single issue. "Homelessness is often the result of multiple issues compounding. One problem leads to another, and people fall to the bottom of the social ladder."

While YMCA does its best to refer people to the appropriate government agencies and other NGOs, its own resources remain limited. "Do we have enough resources to follow up on cases? Not always," Camilleri said. What YMCA currently lacks is a long-term low-threshold shelter. The organisation's existing programme is structured and stage-based, meaning not everyone qualifies for it. "You have to meet specific criteria. It's structured, and not everyone fits into that structure."

The system becomes more complex in cases involving domestic violence. "If someone is a perpetrator and another is a victim, we separate them where needed," Camilleri said, adding that therapy and addiction support are required at shelters.

The face of homelessness in Malta is also changing. "We're also seeing specific challenges among Maltese citizens that lead to homelessness. Financial struggles, broken relationships, domestic violence, mental health, and ageing are major factors," he said.

 A growing number of people over 60 are also being affected. In 2024, 74% of those experiencing homelessness were male. While YMCA does not segregate its services by gender, Camilleri noted, "we do recognise that men are more likely to fall into homelessness".

Camilleri was candid about the political sensitivity of the issue. "Homelessness is still a politically sensitive topic. We have received increasing financial support from the government over the years. However, the drop-in centre still relies heavily on fund-raising and donations. We are not full partners with the government."

He called for a long-term solution. "If I could fix something in the system, it would be the absence of a national homelessness strategy. This should be part of every parliamentary session's budget discussion."

Camilleri criticised recent enforcement actions targeting homeless people. "Arresting homeless people at 5am to make an example out of them is not a solution," he said. He also noted that some individuals are undocumented and were brought to Malta under the promise of future stability. "They were brought here to work with the promise that if they behave and stay with the same employer, they will eventually get a home. But that puts a massive strain on NGOs."

He argued that real change requires a shift in both policy and public perception. "There needs to be a proper strategy that includes prevention, not just emergency shelter. That's why we created the drop-in centre, why we reach out into the community, and why we speak in schools and post on social media."

He criticised the way society reacts to visible homelessness. "Treating homeless people like security threats instead of vulnerable human beings only worsens the situation. The minute someone sees a homeless person, they take a picture and post it online. That's both a societal and a governmental failure. The state is not doing enough to change public perception."

Despite Malta's rapid development, Camilleri said social services have not kept pace. "Malta is developing rapidly in terms of infrastructure, but social care has been left behind." He questioned the sincerity of political interest. "Politically, sometimes when homelessness is discussed, it feels like it's just to tick a box. Is the political will really there to end homelessness? I want to believe it is. But it's still a very sensitive topic."

Camilleri warned that the risk of homelessness is not remote or abstract. "People just can't afford to live. One event - a job loss, a divorce, a mental health crisis - can push them over the edge. And it's not just 'them'. It could be any of us."

The issue affects children too. "There are also minors affected by homelessness. It spans across age groups." Camilleri said society needs to better understand the broad scope of the issue. "We should understand the real meaning of homelessness. It's not just sleeping on the street - it's poverty, exclusion, and a lack of opportunity."

He also lamented the decline in volunteering and empathy. "Young people today often don't see volunteering as something worthwhile. We've lost a lot of empathy. That needs to be addressed in education, from primary school onwards. The mentality has to change."