It is estimated that the number of womxn experiencing homelessness is three and a half times higher than what the data reflects. Womxn are one of the populations at highest risk of being in this situation and, in many cases, face unimaginable (re)traumatization.
Gender-based violence, the fact that women continue to take on the role of caregivers to a greater extent, and other social inequalities mean that homelessness manifests differently for men and women—differences that have not been sufficiently studied. In homelessness counts in Catalonia, women staying in emergency or shelter resources of the Integrated Care and Recovery Network for Women Experiencing Gender-Based Violence are still ignored. According to the data from the Arrels Foundation report from December 2023: 87% of people sleeping on the street are men, 10% are cis women, 1.3% are trans women, and approximately 1.3% identify with other gender identities. Beyond these percentages, we must add all those womxn who do not leave the family home or live in inadequate housing out of fear of ending up on the streets. This comes at a high psychological and physical cost that is difficult to reverse. Moreover, living on the street carries many risks for womxn, as they are more exposed to gender-based violence and sexual abuse.
Among the womxn sleeping on the street, only 31% have income, yet it is not enough to meet their basic needs. 32% do not have anyone they can rely on. Only 33% were born in Barcelona or other municipalities in Catalonia. Job loss, family problems, and migration are the main reasons for losing their housing. Three out of ten suffer from chronic diseases affecting the liver, kidneys, heart, stomach, or lungs. Homelessness takes a heavy toll on the physical and emotional health of womxn, as well as on their overall well-being, especially for those with mental health disorders. We can say that one of the most forgotten groups is that of homeless womxn who are survivors of violence and multiple situations of vulnerability, and who have issues related to drug use.
Metzineres is one of the few existing spaces specifically designed for cis women and gender non-conforming people who use drugs and are surviving multiple forms of vulnerability and violence, including homelessness—whether temporary or long-term.
With holistic and individualized approaches tailored to each person’s specific circumstances, we offer multiple safe spaces through flexible, low-threshold, and immediate-access services, based on the expectations, concerns, curiosities, interests, and needs of the womxn who reach out to us. In this way, we provide comprehensive and individualized support that promotes physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Our community space serves nearly 600 participants, with an average of 50 visits per day. More than 50% of these participants are unhoused, highlighting the critical need for a space that offers daytime rest with beds, meals, showers, laundry facilities, socio-health support, computers, lockers, a variety of community workshops, training sessions, and a leisure area for peer connection. Meeting basic needs in this way is an essential first step to addressing other layers of vulnerability, needs, and concerns.
We provide transdisciplinary support with holistic and individualized care. This includes self-care tools, professional support in harm reduction, prevention, treatment follow-ups and care, socio-educational support, as well as ongoing legal and psychological assistance. Our work is coordinated with specialized networks, and we refer participants to other complementary services based on each womxn’s specific process. We also conduct weekly outreach to reach and support womxn who, for various reasons—such as carrying bags and belongings—do not come to Metzineres or other local services. Additionally, we carry out community awareness activities with key local stakeholders, neighborhood networks, and the cooperative fabric, fostering feelings of belonging and collaboration that enhance coexistence and nurture us with solidarity and mutual support.
The community outreach work we do allows us to reach this population and provide the necessary holistic and socio-health support to ensure that each womxn receives clear, accessible, and tailored information, as well as coordinated referrals and guidance. This is especially important for those who, for various reasons, do not access the services offered by public administration. It also helps make them visible and raises awareness. Up to August 2024, 245 womxn in situations of homelessness or rough sleeping received transdisciplinary support from Metzineres.
This project is carried out with the support of the Department of Social Rights and Inclusion of the Government of Catalonia.
