As strong cold fronts continuously hit Taiwan, the Taichung City Social Affairs Bureau immediately responded to offer winter homeless services for those from the streets and to distribute hot red bean soup, hand warmers and fur hats. The "Social Relief Station-#6 Cooperative" was set up as the temporary shelter of the homeless. Private shelter organizations such as the Homeless Taichung Association, the Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation and the Samaritan Association extended service hours to 0:00 midnight.
Director General of the Social Affairs Bureau, Peng Huai-Chen and Councilman, Chang Yen-Tung, yesterday (the 7th) arrived at the "Social Relief Station-#6 Cooperative," transit housing units for the homeless, coordinative units and underground passages to distribute hot soup and cold weather materials to remind the homeless to keep themselves warm and take care of their own health.
According to the Bureau, when temperatures lower than 12°C are reported, the Taichung City Government will immediately initiate caring services. The "Social Relief Station-#6 Cooperative" offers 20 beds for the homeless from the streets from 22:00 and during the period, low temperature resistant materials and hot foods are provided. The Homeless Taichung Association, the Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation and the Samaritan Association also offer additional 20 beds and registration time is extended up to 0:00 midnight.
The Bureau pointed out that when the last cold front hit on New Year's Eve, the "Social Relief Station-#6 Cooperative" and Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation jointly provided and served dozens of homeless people and distributed 140 servings of hot food to them. After the arrival of this winter, designated personnel went to underground passages, bridges and parks to distribute winter materials, to strength their care for the homeless and continuously monitor living conditions of the homeless.
The Bureau mentioned that to respond to the cold fronts, it again sent out text messages to inform relevant agencies and private networks to monitor the situations of the homeless, older people living alone and the senior welfare organizations. The public was encouraged to file a report the homeless in need by dialing 110 to let the police make further emergency arrangements. (1/8*8)* The Social Affairs Bureau
Contact person: Ms. Lin, the Taichung City Social Affairs Bureau
Contact telephone number: 04-22221527 extn. 103