Verona is among the Venetian cities of the same size with the greatest number of places and services dedicated to welcoming the homeless.
The emergency plan against the cold began on 27 November 2023 and remained active until 28 April, allowing winter shelter to be provided to over 300 people who live in extreme marginalization, are in a state of poverty and homelessness, with the provision of a total of 278 beds.
The city of Verona is in fact among the Venetian cities of equal size, it is the one with the greater number of places and services dedicated to reception.
The commitment of the Scaligera Administration has allowed, over the course of the winter just ended, an increase in the actions implemented to expand availability as much as possible. Actions which have in fact materialized in the structuring of additional beds, as well as in the intensification of territorial monitoring interventions to activate the safety measures for the most vulnerable people on the streets.
The municipal administration and, in agreement with it, the city’s third sector bodies, have made it available 82 additional beds (77 for men and 5 for women), a number which was further supplemented by 17 men’s places in the month of January, to cope with the coldest period of the season.
“Verona confirms itself as a welcoming city that is attentive to the needs of many people who live in serious difficulty – underlines the councilor for social policies Luisa Ceni –. Thanks to the collaboration of Third Sector bodies, it was possible to provide an important response which is not limited to overnight shelter but offers accompaniment for those who are more fragile. The commitment is maximum to expand the availability of beds as much as possible, with the precious collaboration of all the representatives of the municipal institutional services, ULSS 9, private social agencies and citizen associations interested in the assistance activities in support of the Municipality. A team that has made it possible to realize not only an important availability of beds but also essential aid activities. Furthermore, the Administration’s commitment goes beyond the daily activity through the establishment of the permanent technical table on housing emergency and social hardship, which represents for the first time a moment of discussion with the associations active in the area”.
The breakdown of available places
Male reception: 100 seats
- The Samaritan: 45 seats
- Camploy: 40 places. Thanks to the recent renovation, it was possible within the structure of the Camploy night nursery to provide a diversification of reception facilities, having created, in addition to the common rooms, also separate spaces to guarantee the possible reception of more fragile subjects with particular needs.
- Via Fedeli (San Michele area): 15 places
Winter facilities: 77 places
- Via Spagnolo (San Massimo area): 21 places
- Casa Nostra Association: 20 places at the facility in San Zeno in Monte.
- International Youth Cooperation Center: 18 places at Casa Bertoni, in via N. Mazza.
- Parish of Santa Maria Maddalena of Verona (Saval area): 3 places
- San Giovanni Evangelista Parish night nursery (via del Quadrato – S. Lucia area): 15 places
Female reception: 10 places
Via Molise: 10 places in the night nursery managed by the Youth Community.
Winter facilities: 5 places
- Youth Protection House: 2 places upon recommendation from Social Services at the facility in Via Pigna
- Ronda della Carità: 3 places at the “Casetta” in via Agrigento
To these, since January, a further 17 male places have been added in the Camploy, Il Samaritano, Casa Nostra and Parrocchia Santa Maria Maddalena structures.
Thanks to the registration in the Register of qualified operators for the provision of reception services by private social bodies, such as Comunità dei Giovani, Il Samaritano, Milonga, Self Help, Maddalena di Canossa, during the winter the Municipality of Verona could count on 51 residential places in second level apartments, through which help programs were carried out aimed at homeless adults in the care of local social services. Also supporting the “Ca’ d’inverto” structure in via Corbella, Cadidavid area, with 18 places for vulnerable people.
Overall, with a shift regulated by free resignation of the subjects followed, it was possible to accommodate over 300 people.
Other services
In addition to the reception places, the canteen system managed by the private social sector also provides support. The guests of the Night Nurseries were thus guaranteed dinner as in the ordinary period.
The Street Unit carried out control and monitoring actions in the area to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable people on the streets.
Social Emergency Response
For the first time the service was also activated during the winter Social Emergency Response for emergency cases, which played a fundamental role in activating the police for people on the streets, especially minors and women with minors.
Finally, during this winter season, thanks to FEAD funds, the distribution of basic material goods was carried out, corresponding to 2,800 blankets, 7,000 personal hygiene kits and 2,200 items of underwear.
