The most common problem is the “camps” that are set up at the entrances of buildings and shops where people cook, sleep and do their physiological needs. This means that every morning, doormen, neighbours and employees have to clean up rubbish and throw away mattresses and clothes. In addition, according to the shopkeepers, the situation increases the feeling of unsafety in the area and is causing some kind of drop in sales.
The Chamber of Commerce and Services (CCyUy) called for a round table discussion with national and municipal authorities to address the concern generated by the homeless people housed in the center. Delegates from the CCyUy participated in the meeting. Montevideo City Hallhe Ministry of Public Health, ASSEhe Ministry of Tourismhe Ministry of Social Development (You measure) and Customs.
Although there was a willingness on all sides to move forward in search of a solution, the problem continues to this day. The merchants are demanding that a protocol be approved that indicates where to turn and who can provide a response based on the various situations that may arise.
Center Group is the association that brings together merchants from the Center, Cordón and Ciudad Vieja. Its president, Armando Litvanplaces the problem in a temporary context, but one that has grown in the medium term.
“The center of Montevideowhich is the area that concerns us, has incredible strengths. It is the historic center, the cultural center full of theaters, universities, schools and high schools. It is where tourists frequently go to visit the city. That is to say, it is an area that, from a structural point of view, maintains strengths that have not changed. And you have the proof when an important sporting event for Uruguay takes place. People go to celebrate, where? To 18 de Julio and downtown. They go where the heart of the city is, in some way,” he said in a conversation with Ambit.
“There are now temporary problems that we understand to be temporary. One of them is the homeless. It is an issue that affects not only the centre, but the whole of Montevideo,” he added. “This has become a situation that today exceeds the possibility of being resolved by the actors alone. And for this reason, we participate in a group that has been formed to analyse this problem in order to generate a protocol for action,” he mentioned.
According to figures from official bodies themselves, the president of the Centro Group points out: “There are more homeless people in the centre, because there are more homeless people in the whole country.” Montevideo. Currently, 26 people are released from prison every day, of which half, 13, end up on the streets. No matter how many shelters Mides builds or tries to expand, it is not enough.”
The issue has even worsened in recent times, he adds. “It not only affects commerce, but also affects the residents who live in these areas and, of course, the homeless people themselves.” Even today, the problem is not only on the main avenue of Montevideo“18 de Julio is a particularly visible point. But there are also people on the transversal streets, there are people on the parallel streets. We do not have an exact measurement of the number of homeless people, but what we do do is receive complaints from merchants or people in buildings who live in those areas when there is a situation that causes a distortion of daily activity. In that case, what we do is report it to the competent authorities,” Litvan clarified.
Regarding the types of cases that are encountered, he mentioned “people who camp at the entrances of some shops and when the staff wants to enter they can’t or have to argue. There are also problems with cleanliness. And obviously, in addition, among these people there are some who are addicted to harmful substances and that also generates concern.”
Beyond the fact that there have been specific contacts and meetings, Grupo Centro is still expecting more specific advances. “The protocol is being implemented, it is not finished. Each of these institutions mentioned has its own specific protocol for action. They are coordinated when, for example, homeless people are detected, the mayor’s office goes with trucks, accompanied by the Ministry of the Interior, they remove the belongings of these people and in many cases they are destroyed. It is about convincing people to go to the shelters that Mides has,” he commented.
“It is a problem that transcends us, it is a problem for the whole society. And ultimately what we have to see is how people who were deprived of their freedom get out. Sometimes the only thing they have is the money for a ticket, they get home, it turns out that they are not received and they have nowhere to go because their home no longer exists. And since they have no resources or work initially, where do they end up? Homeless,” reflected the representative of the merchants.
“We are facing a temporary phenomenon, we hope that it is resolved quickly and that, just as we have gone through the pandemic, we have gone through the drama of competition with Argentina“Hopefully this will also be a problem that will be resolved in a way that benefits all parties,” Litvan concluded.
Source: Ambito
