During the weekly meeting, participants discussed the main challenges related to homelessness, ranging from the European and national frameworks to the local reality.
The Braga Branch of the Portuguese Red Cross hosted the seminar “People, Homes, and Humanity: A Look at the Reality of Homeless People” in the Aula Magna at the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga.
As part of the celebrations for International Red Cross Day, the event brought together national and international experts, public and private entities, social workers, institutional partners, and community members for a moment of reflection, sharing, and raising awareness about one of today’s most pressing social issues.
“In Portugal, the reality facing people experiencing homelessness continues to grow and become increasingly complex. According to the most recent data available, from 2024, 14,476 people were identified as being in this situation, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. More than 65% live on the streets, exposed daily to extreme conditions, while the rest rely on temporary and unstable solutions. This phenomenon is now present in 67% of the country’s municipalities, reflecting a widespread territorial dispersion, but with a strong concentration in metropolitan areas. Beyond the numbers, the data reveal a worrying pattern: most of these people face prolonged situations of exclusion, with 36% having been homeless for more than 10 years, and with structural causes such as unemployment, job insecurity, and the absence of family support playing a central role. Also noteworthy is the significant growth in the female population, which increased by 25% in just one year, highlighting specific and less visible vulnerabilities,” reveals the Braga Delegation of the Portuguese Red Cross.
This scenario underscores “the urgency of an integrated, ongoing, and humane response capable of addressing not only emergencies but also prevention and social reintegration.”
The seminar addressed “the main challenges related to the phenomenon of homelessness, ranging from the European and national frameworks to the local reality, fostering a multidisciplinary discussion on causes, social impacts, intervention models, and inclusion strategies.”
One of the central moments of the event was the debate surrounding the Housing First model, considered “one of the most effective approaches to addressing homelessness, through access to housing as a starting point for rebuilding dignified and sustainable life paths.”
Projects and experiences developed on the ground were also presented, reinforcing “the importance of coordination between the public sector, the social sector, businesses, and the community.”
The event also included a recognition session for organizations and partners that have supported the Social Emergency Unit of the Portuguese Red Cross’s Braga Delegation, highlighting “the role of the community in building more humane and effective responses.”
