State Minister Attila Fulop said that the winter care for the homeless was organized and coordinated with the police, the ambulance service, the Budapest Autonomous Government, representatives of cities subject to district law and representatives of organizations active in the care of the homeless. The homeless were also involved, because as he said:
Collaboration is the most important thing in homeless care
In Hungary, 240 organizations are currently responsible for caring for homeless people, and the necessary budgetary resources are available to carry out the tasks.
The Secretary of State’s report showed that the utilization rate of spaces was 78 percent at the national level, and 77 percent in Budapest.
So there is enough space, you can use the services of the care system.
He confirmed.
A cold can be life-threatening
In the last five years, he said, usage has never reached 100 percent nationally. The number of available boarding places has exceeded more than 12,000 for many years. He pointed out that the rate of use of night shelters to “resolve sudden situations” also ranges between 70 and 80 percent.
The Secretary of State stressed:
Everyone is asked to use the services when the cold comes, because staying outside in the cold is not only inappropriate, but also life-threatening
According to the State Secretary, there is only one question mark left regarding the provision of homeless services in Budapest.
Promise is a beautiful word.
According to him, there were difficulties in performing the functions of the homeless shelter run by the Hungarian Evangelical Brotherhood and the Protection Charitable Society.
I think it is ugly not to fulfill a commitment to the needy and vulnerable
– The State Secretary commented on the matter, noting that the Hungarian Evangelical Brotherhood has accumulated tax debts, which is why the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) is deducting money from the organization.
He added: Even in this case, the organization must fulfill its obligations, just as 30-40 other institutions in the country do, with the same standards.
He also announced that the Hungarian Evangelical Brotherhood has received support worth 8.6 billion HUF over the past 13 years. The organization is responsible for 5 percent of care in Budapest, providing care to about a thousand people nationwide.
