Sometimes, a single critical event is enough for a person to become homeless - for example, losing a job, a divorce, or the death of a loved one, said Aldis Strapcans, deputy head of the adult social services department of the Riga City Council's welfare department.
In turn, anthropologist Karlis Lakševics identified health problems and debts as significant causes of homelessness: "A substantial number of people living in summer cottages and other places in the city have very large debts." According to Lakševics, the primary goal of the homeless census project being implemented in Riga this week is not to obtain data on the number of homeless people in Riga, but to understand the problems that respondents most often face and the reasons they became homeless.
Interviews conducted as part of this project and previous studies have identified several important factors leading to the loss of housing, with health issues being the first among them.
"Many people already have disabilities and are likely waiting for social housing. But there are also those with undiagnosed illnesses of various kinds. This is a very complicated situation, especially if a person is of pre-retirement age," said Lakševics, adding that, according to long-term data, the majority of homeless individuals fall within this age category.
"Many have serious health problems that prevent them from working full-time, especially if it involves physical labor," noted the researcher. Another reason is debts. These debts can take various forms, such as quick loans or alimony. Many owe money to 'Rīgas satiksme'," the researcher pointed out.
