New Survey On Athens Homeless Presents Shocking Results

Homeless (Photo credit: fotografar)

The number of homeless people in the center of Athens are apparently rising. In most cases, these people lost their homes over the past two years, or during the period 2009-2011. From what was reported earlier this week, they range between the ages of 26-55 and until the crisis were living decent lives. Their biggest challenge is finding shelter and access to medical care. Finding employment in such a period is also difficult, as is food and sanitation.

The results of the non-governmental organisation "Klimaka" are indicative of this. Earlier this week they presented a survey of homeless people in the greater Athens area. The findings were conducted between September 2011 and February 2012 and they used a sample of approximately 214 people.

According to the results, more than half or 64.8 percent had been homeless less than two years, after the start of the economic crisis, while more than 87 percent were between the ages of 26 and 55. Their educational profile was also higher relative to previous years, with one in five having a higher education degree and 40 percent having finished high school.

Shockingly, almost a quarter of those interviewed were quoted as saying that they were employed in technical jobs or construction - two areas that were hardest hit by the economic crisis. Moreover, roughly 22 percent said they were employed in the private-sector, 18 percent were freelance workers and 16 percent had worked in the tourism industry.

More than 82 percent of those surveyed were men and the great majority were especially vulnerable in terms of their access to health care, with mental health issues being a particular problem. Specifically, 18.1 percent reported attempting suicide at least once, 38.1 percent reported frequent use of alcohol and 20.4 percent had a history of mental health issues.

After finding shelter, (85.6 percent), their highest reported problems were access to medical care (83.1 percent), finding work (76.5 percent) and sanitation (75 percent). More than 41 percent said they had problems finding somewhere to bathe.

According to Klimaka, 58.1 percent had no form of medical insurance and therefore no access to either drugs or medical tests.

Of those surveyed, about half lived on less than 20 euro a month, one third had been physically abused while on the streets at least once, 21.05 percent of women had been sexually abused and 44.1 percent had been victims of robbery or theft.

Klimaka noted that there were no official records concerning the number currently living homeless, though estimates placed the number at approximately 20,000 people living on the streets or in unsuitable accommodation, about half of them in the

Athens area. Much greater numbers are considered at risk of becoming homeless, with an estimated 25 percent increase in the rate due to the economic crisis.

The survey was presented for the first time to the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA), of which Klimaka is a member. At the press conference to present its results, Klimaka also presented its collaboration with the Fourlis group, which runs Greek branch of furniture chain IKEA, and the renovation carried out by the company at the Centre for the Support of the Homeless and the Hostel for the Homeless last August.