Pandemic led to 30% increase in homeless population in Brazil’s Federal District

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Specialized Social Approach Service (SEAS) manager André Santoro says that the pandemic has led to an increase of approximately 30% in the homeless population in the Federal District. The loss of jobs and income caused demand to grow from 1,800 to 2,400 people – all of whom are assisted monthly by the SEAS.

In September alone, the Federal District Government sent at least 20 homeless people to Centro Pop in Asa Sul. There they are guaranteed access to meals, showers, resting area during the day and laundry.

The Federal District government has 11 Specialized Reference Centers for Social Assistance (CREAS) and 2 Centro Pop (in Asa Sul and Taguatinga) support networks for this portion of the population.

According to the Secretariat of Social Development and the Southwest and Octogonal Regional Administration, citizens living in commercial blocks in these regions are approached by Civil Society Organization (CSO) Instituto Ipês and a relationship of trust is developed in order for them to accept a referral.

According to Southwest and Octagonal regional administrator Tereza Canal, some of them have a place to live. There is a sick man who refuses to receive help for fear of leaving the place he has taken shelter in.

“But, unfortunately, they prefer the street because they think they can get better help. Here in the Southwest there is a family from SIA that chooses to walk around and beg,” she says.

The SEAS – under the Secretariat of Social Development (SEDES) – is a branch of CREAS, which is in charge of this service. There are 28 teams spread across the Federal District. In the Southwest and Octagonal districts alone there are 36 people.

INCREASED DEMAND DURING PANDEMIC

With the increase of the homeless population, Santoro says that one of the obstacles to solving the problem is the community that, in solidarity, donates directly and, unintentionally, encourages them to stay.

His advice is that donations should not cease, but should be made through one of the institutions registered in the portfolio’s Social Assistance Council. “The same community that complains [about people living on the streets] is the one donating. And this can be changed,” he says.

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