This Friday were presented the detailed results of the Night of Solidarity which took place on January 20, 2022 for the census of the homeless in Bordeaux and Bruges. The final figure is 599 people in the streets, camps and slums, plus 297 people living in squats. A sociological study provides more details, particularly on the various profiles and situations.
The town hall of Bordeaux has released the detailed figures for its first Night of Solidarity. The census carried out on January 20, 2022 and the collection of forms completed with homeless people were analyzed by a scientific committee composed of two sociology researchers from the University of Bordeaux, Emmanuel Langlois and Yamina Meziani, specializing respectively in the study of vulnerable populations and in the implementation of public policies for equality and social justice.
In addition to the final figure announced of 599 people in the streets, camps and slums, to which are added the 297 people living in squats, the results revealed distinct profiles. It should be noted that more than 20% of people are minors and overwhelmingly live with their family, that more than half of people work in a declared or informal manner, and that one person in two does not benefit from health coverage.
Work as the main resource for half
In more detail, the figures reveal that it is mainly young people and families who suffer from “homelessness”, mostly nationals of the European Union. Indeed, 17% of all the homeless people questioned are of French nationality (46% in the city). In the slums, 76% are European Union (EU) nationals and 17% are non-EU nationals.
In urban areas, people in the streets are 81.5% men, and 69% of them are between 25 and 55 years old. In the camps, on the other hand, the settling of numerous families results in a greater female presence: 43% of women and 56% of men. The age group of 25 to 55 years is 53% there, and 27% are minors. In addition, 36% of women and 25% of men are under 25, an age affected by many public policies.
From the point of view of resources, declared work is the most cited source (29%), ahead of undeclared work (19%), social benefits (18%) and begging (14%). In the slums, 58% of respondents said they worked, declared or not.
One in two people without health coverage
One out of two people we meet benefits from health coverage. However, the perceived state of health obeys an age factor, with the youngest declaring better health. People in slums say 75% are in good or very good health. 57% of homeless people in the city have no health coverage compared to 37% of people in slums, where the presence of children leads to more frequent consultations.
The majority of homeless people arrived in Bordeaux without accommodation (64% for homeless people in slums). For those who had a home and who lost it, it is mainly financial reasons that are mentioned (loss of job, unemployment, etc.), then rental eviction and finally family separations.
It should be noted that 63% of all people have never been taken care of in emergency accommodation, being the main institutional response to homelessness, while 45% of the homeless have never called the 115. This rate reaches 62% for homeless people in camps and slums. In town, women use 115 more than men (54% versus 39%).
everyone’s business
Asked by Rue89 Bordeaux, Harmonie Lecerf announces that she has not yet shared this data with the institutional bodies concerned, “the presentation will be made at the start of the school year”. As a reminder, the methodology of the census and the announcements made in the process had not been recognized by the prefecture of the Gironde, according to which “the amalgam of situations removes all credibility” from the operation.
In his speech, Pierre Hurmic then declared that “solidarity is everyone’s business” and reminded that the institutional partners are concerned to “implement solutions to fight against homelessness”. It therefore remains to come to an agreement.
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