Ponta Delgada invests around €450,000 in two new social support facilities

Ponta Delgada City Council is developing two new social support facilities, representing a total investment of around €450,000, to strengthen assistance for people experiencing homelessness and those facing addiction. Developed in partnership with Instituto São João de Deus, the projects comprise an Emergency Social Support Centre and a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Residence, with a combined capacity to support up to 40 people.

The announcement was made by councillor for social affairs Cristina do Canto Tavares on 23 October during the opening of the seminar «New Drugs and Vulnerable Populations – Challenges of the Century» at the School of Health Sciences. The event was organised by the Portuguese Association of Dual Pathology, in collaboration with the Psychiatry Department of Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo and the University of the Azores.

Work on the Emergency Social Support Centre began in September, backed by €106,000 in municipal funding. Located on Rua de São João de Deus, the centre will occupy an adapted building belonging to the institution's healthcare facility, with direct access from outside, and will be able to serve up to 30 people.

The centre will provide a community meal service, shower facilities and a psychosocial support office, offering social, psychological and nursing assistance. Its proximity to Instituto São João de Deus will also allow access to complementary services, including laundry facilities.

The Psychosocial Rehabilitation Residence has a planned investment of €330,000 and will occupy another of the institution's properties, which will be renovated and adapted. It will accommodate ten people who have successfully completed an addiction treatment programme.

Support following treatment and detoxification will be provided by a multidisciplinary team working across nursing, psychiatry, psychology and social and cultural activities, helping residents continue their recovery.

According to Cristina do Canto Tavares, both projects form part of a municipal strategy developed alongside organisations working directly with vulnerable communities. She also highlighted other measures supporting people experiencing homelessness, including the local homelessness planning and intervention network, the Housing First programme and municipal funding for the Fora de Horas outreach team.

During the seminar, the councillor called for stronger prevention, scientific research and cooperation between professionals to address the challenges posed by new psychoactive substances. «New problems require new responses», she said, stressing the importance of multidisciplinary support.