By The Star Staff
Candidates for governor must include as a priority an action plan to facilitate affordable housing as a preventive measure to avoid the growing homelessness crisis in Puerto Rico, La Fondita de Jesús Executive Director Josué Maysonet Colón said Thursday.
In the framework of the celebration of the World Homeless Day, Maysonet stated that housing should be seen as a basic human right and that to solve the problems of homeless people, their physical and mental health must also be addressed.
According to the 2024 Count, in a single day 2,096 homeless people were counted and it is estimated that the total number is around 5,000 homeless people in Puerto Rico.
“The most worrying thing is that almost 25 percent of these people have lived on the streets for more than a year and, what is worse, almost 60 percent are facing homelessness for the first time,” Maysonet Colón said.
La Fondita de Jesús is one of the organizations working on the front line against the homelessness crisis on the island.
The situation is aggravated by a significant increase in homeless women, a phenomenon that has been growing in recent years.
“It is heartbreaking to see how young people and older adults, the most vulnerable, are the ones who suffer the most,” Maysonet Colón said. “And now, more women are becoming homeless, an alarming trend that we must urgently address.”
Another worrying situation is that more and more homeless people are arriving on the island from the United States because they understand that it is easier for them to find housing here, and in particular from Florida, where since Oct. 1, sleeping on the streets has been prohibited with the possibility of arrest and even jail. If the trend continues, homelessness on the island will worsen, Maysonet Colón noted.
He said not only is it necessary to bring attention to a crisis that is already visible, but structural solutions that prevent more people from falling into this situation also must be developed.
“The only way to stop this cycle is to create affordable housing for those who are already on the streets and for those who are at risk of losing their homes,” Maysonet Colón stressed. “Housing should not be seen as a luxury, but as a basic human right.”
The leader of La Fondita added that it is not enough to offer a roof.
“Access to physical and mental health services is essential for those who have been victims of the harsh reality of homelessness,” he said. “Many of those who live on the streets suffer from chronic illnesses and untreated mental health problems. They can’t get off the streets without adequate resources to address these needs.”
World Homeless Day is a reminder that prevention is key.
“No one is exempt from a crisis that leads them to lose their home. It can happen to anyone,” Maysonet Colón warned. “That is why we call on our leaders to act responsibly and to dedicate funds and public policies to resolve this situation. We cannot afford to continue looking the other way.”
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