"We will not leave anybody on the street," the Emergency Accommodation Centre for Homeless People in the Zaharna Fabrika quarter in Sofia said. In the coldest days of the winter the centre operates around the clock. Currently its capacity is exceeded, but it is still ready to accept more people in need. In the period December 1 – March 31 each year, heated rooms, beds, breakfast and dinner are provided to people who usually live on the streets. If temperatures remain low, homeless people can find shelter there until weather conditions improve. Head of the centre Dragoslava Lundzhova told us more about the conditions in the centre:

"Anyone who needs help can seek it at the center for accommodation of homeless people. Every night mobile teams of the Sofia Municipality patrol the streets to look for homeless people. If needed they are transported to municipal hospitals, or to the center. Although there are 40 people above the center’s capacity currently accommodated in it, we are ready to welcome more homeless people. We do our best in order for every citizen of the capital city to receive shelter and support."

The two emergency centers in Sofia have 170 beds that are now taken but if necessary 60 more people can be accommodated. A requirement for entering the center is having a personal ID. However, exceptions have also been made and people have been allowed to stay in the center, while a procedure for issuing an ID card is triggered.

How do people who found refuge at the center for emergency accommodation feel?

"So far there have been no complaints. Everyone says they are pleased that there is a place to stay overnight, take a bath, have a hot dinner and breakfast. In the coldest days we have been working around the clock to provide lunch to the people," Ms. Lundzhova says.

Some homeless people, however, refuse to stay in the Center for crisis accommodation. Why is that so?

"Unfortunately, experience shows that there are such cases, too. Some people do not want to stay with us. We receive many signals in the contact center to the Municipality from citizens who saw homeless people on the street. We make great efforts together with mobile teams of municipal police and the "Social Support" directorate to help them. It may sound strange but some people believe that this lifestyle is convenient for them and do not wish to use the services of the center. Each social service available nationwide can take place only with the agreement of individuals. We pay much effort to accommodate these people, to reach them and make them tell us their life stories. We are looking for various ways to assist them and to provide help," Dragoslava Lundzhova says in conclusion.

English: Alexander Markov