The Public Defender of Georgia Welcomes the Initiative of “Identoba” to Provide Shelter for the Homeless

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The Public Defender of Georgia is welcomes the initiative of organization “Identoba” to open a shelter for the homeless as winter is approaching. 

The Office of the Public Defender receives number of applications from homeless and socially vulnerable individuals on daily basis. Their main problem is absence of housing. 

According to the current legislation, local self-government bodies are required to provide housing for the homeless. But, due to absence of a national strategy and plan in regards to providing housing, this requirement is not fulfilled in most of the cases. 

The Public Defender of Georgia has addressed local self-government bodies (both in Tbilisi and regions) and the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia with numerous recommendations and public statements to take all necessary measures within available resources in order to effectively protect the rights of the homeless individuals. 

The Office of the Public Defender continues examination and monitoring of issues that concern providing adequate housing. In addition, it urges local self-government bodies and the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, considering the approaching winter, to take all measures within their respective competence and provide extremely needy, homeless individuals with at least temporary shelter, so that they are not left outside during winter