Arrels has created the app called Arrels Localitzador (Arrels’ tracker) that allows citizens to inform the presence of people sleeping on the street. Currently, there are more than 3,800 homeless people in Barcelona and every night 1,200 of them sleep on the street, they are the most visible part of poverty. The goal is to count with the participation of the citizens to know what’s the status of the situation so we can make policies and actions to fight it and make possible #nobodysleepingonthestreet.
FAQ
1. How do we make these figures?
People sleeping on the street are in a public place but we have to guarantee they can have intimacy and privacy. Figures are for the intern use of Arrels and to make easier the work of the care team.
2. Once we have sent the information, what is the process?
The information you send, allows us to activate our street team and work with other city teams. First, it starts an analysis phase of the information. It is counted the received locations in order to know if we already have street teams there of if there
are any new sensitize zones. This information is given to the street team. We evaluate if they already know this person and we think about the best way to face the situation.
3. I informed about someone sleeping on the street and they are still there, why?
Analyzing the information, evaluating which resources are necessary and designing proceedings are things that require some time. After these phases a first contact is made between the the street team and the people living on the street. Creating trust bonds is also a long process. Remember that it is not a quick proceeding, and the process of someone leaving the street can last years, but it is necessary and can get under way thanks to the information you give us.
4. If I see the same person frequently, is it necessary to inform each time I see him?
It is not necessary to inform us frequently about the same person; we work with figures ahead of time and it is about a long process. Nonetheless, if the situation of this person changes, you can inform us about these changes sending again their location and filling up the Observation section.
5. If I see someone outside Barcelona, is it useful to communicate it?
Yes, even though Arrels does not work in that territory, we will give that information to entities that do work there or to the city services. To send the information through the Arrels’ Tracker is something but, likewise, don’t stop to inform your city services because their proceedings will always be more immediate. Arrels’ tracker is also a visibility tool so using it can help make visible the homelessness problem in other places.
6. Besides of informing through Arrels’ TRacker, what else can I do when I see someone sleeping on the street?
The information is basic. First, it is necessary to inform us. Like with any other people, the way you interact with them is a personal choice. Especially, don’t look away and ask if they need anything. Personal contact, a conversation or a moment of company can help more than money.
7 questions about people sleeping on the street
1. Why do we ask the location?
We need the location to know what is the current situation of this problem in Barcelona, evaluate if our street team is present in every sensitize area of the city and count with the exact information that allows to improve our proceedings.
2. Why do we ask if they are men or women?
91% of people living on the street are men, 6,9% women and 1,7% are considered as “others”. That’s why there are more resources intended to men. But, the information will help us to know if the figure of women living on the street increases to augment the resources intended to women.
3. Why do we ask how many people are they?
To know the degree of their vulnerability. A single person is more unprotected than a group of people that sleep together. Moreover, it is necessary to make an exact recount of the number of people that live and sleep on Barcelona streets and know the extent of this reality.
4. Why do we ask if it is the first time you see this person?
To have more information about their situation: if it’s new, if it’s someone that keeps going from a place to another or if it’s someone that, for example, has mobility difficulties.
5. Why do we ask where they sleep?
To know what is the degree of vulnerability and protection of this person and to make easier the identification of the street team.
6. Why do we ask if they have animals?
Many of the people who sleep on the street and have an animal are more reluctant to use the different resources than we, entities and city services, offer them because they are not adapted to animals.
7. What kind of observations are useful?
Every detail that can be important so the street teams can recognise this person and can see the way to approach him. Does he talk to oneself? Can he move properly? What is their health status and their estimated age? Does he have the support of neighbours? At what time is he usually there? Do you think he has some alcohol problem?
Besides Arrels’ Tracker, what other information resources exist?
In addition to inform through the Arrels’ Tracker, if you see someone sleeping on the street in Barcelona, you can:
- Call the Social Insertion Service of the City Council of Barcelona: 93 256 66 50. Or give the address so the person can go directly (Pg. Pujades, 29).
- Call the Centre of Social Emergencies and Urgencies of Barcelona (CUESB): 900 70 30 30.
- If the person doesn’t feel well or is underage, call 112.
- If you know someone who is about to lose their home, the first step is to go to the social services of the neighbourhood where the person is registered.