This effect is felt at the homeless charity “Stëmm vun der Strooss”. The number of people being served a daily warm meal has nearly doubled from 70 to 130. This does not surprise director Alexandra Oxacelay:
“The numbers have been constantly increasing recently, as poverty is on the ride. Why is it obvious: there are ever fewer job positions for people without a diploma, those who don’t speak the languages or those who are ill or cannot work eight hours a day. Additionally, there is not enough affordable or social housing for people on low incomes. We are not an island. Our services are needed more and more. The only difference this year is that it is now more difficult to meet people’s needs.”
Video report in Luxembourgish:
Just like any other organisation, the charity has to adapt its daily routine to fulfil the new health mesures. Starting in mid-September, they have had to rent the hall at the St Joseph association in Esch, as their own premises are too small to meet the distancing requirements.
Due to the curfew, the winter sleeping quarters on Findel have opened early this year. Here, homeless people are offered a safe place to sleep and a way to stay off the street during nighttime hours. A welcome initiative, as temperatures have started dropping close to freezing at night.
Video report in Luxembourgish:
