RAE ‘chairman’ receives call: “The term ‘homelessness’ should be in the dictionary”

That’s why they started a campaign led by presenter and journalist Berta Collado. The word ‘homelessness’ is included in the next update of the dictionary Royal Spanish Academy (RAE).

Because even though the phenomenon is not yet in the dictionaries, they remember that it exists in the streets and neighborhoods of cities. Likewise, it is included in the main policies designed to facilitate access to housing, such as the Housing Law, the State Plan for Access to Housing, and finally the Plan for Access to Housing. National Strategy to Combat Homelessness 2023-2030.

Letter to RAE

Additionally, as you are reminded, ‘homelessness’ is included in many regional and municipal policies. José Manuel CabalolManaging director of HOGAR SÍ Maria Paz Battaner Ariasmanager spanish dictionary (DLE), through a letter.

Battaner has offered five updates since he took office in 2017. He adds that he also occupies the “homelessness” seat. Jewel of CastileCommunications Director of the organization, which argues that we hold back when we talk about the homeless, beggars and the poor stigmatizing stereotypes and prejudices Even more so to the collective.

“Only 13 percent of the total homeless people beg, so when we call them beggars, we name a reality that is not true. Or when we call them poor, we stop glorifying them. In addition to citizens perceiving this as a structural problem, it also seems to have a situation.“, To add.

a growing problem

Official figures for homeless people increased by 25% from 2012 to 2022, reaching 28,552. The associations add to this figure the 8,000 to 11,000 people who will be outside the system. These are all people who do not go to centres, soup kitchens or shelters. This does not exist in the eyes of governments and society.

The sum of both figures equates to a total of 37,000 people experiencing homelessness. According to data provided by the National Institute of Statistics Care Centers and Services Survey homeless, They offered in 2022 26,690 places Representing an increase of 22.8% (6,077 places) compared to 2020 but “in the accommodation network that will initially be reserved “10,300 people are outside the scope of accommodation”.

“So 27.8% of homeless people will fall out of the system,” they explain. Additionally, according to SIN HOGAR, “it is noteworthy that 46.4 percent (2,820) of this increase occurred in shelters.” “The evidence at the European and international level is very clear that the effective and efficient response will be to provide people with housing rather than collective centres.

That’s why they demand it beChange in homeless care systemA place where shelters are a quick response to an emergency and not a solution to a problem that becomes chronic in 40% of the cases that suffer from it.