It is wet. It’s windy. It is cold. And even if temperatures are in the plus range during the day, they can drop below freezing at night. A circumstance that poses particular challenges for the homeless. Citizens who make corresponding observations (sleeping places, etc.) can contact the B37 social association. In 2019, he created his own service for this with the cold protection hotline.
“Our street workers are out and about a lot anyway in the sense of outreach social work, but we are always grateful for information about new places to sleep or new people in the scene,” says Thomas Niedermayr, head of outreach work.
The hotline is manned on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (0732/776767560), the street workers can also be reached at kaelteschutz@b37.at. The offer is usually in operation from November to March.
The information is followed up as quickly as possible, ideally on the same day that it is received, says Niedermayr. There are several ways in which those affected can be helped: from support with sleeping bags, insulating mats and warm winter clothing to arranging a place in an emergency shelter or other form of accommodation.
40 reports so far this year
So far this winter, the cold protection hotline has received around 40 reports (by telephone and e-mail), compared to a total of 45 last year.
“Word has already gotten around that the offer is now available,” says Niedermayr. His experience: “We can reach more people who are dependent on help. The cold protection hotline is a survival aid.” However, the hotline is not intended for acute hazardous situations. Then the rescue should be alerted.
Source: Nachrichten
