Malta’s Homeless: The Struggle for the Right to Sleep

Imagine this: it’s 3 AM in the heart of Valletta. The streets, usually bustling with life, are now bathed in an eerie silence. Yet, tucked away in a quiet corner, you might spot a figure huddled under a blanket, seeking refuge in a doorway. This is not a scene from a distant past; it’s a stark reality for many in Malta today. They are not seeking luxury, but a basic human right – the right to sleep.

The right to sleep might seem like a given, but for Malta’s homeless population, it’s a daily struggle. According to the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, there are over 1,000 homeless people on our islands. This number is not just a statistic; it’s a reality that plays out every night on our streets.

Malta’s homelessness crisis is not just about numbers. It’s about the harsh reality of sleeping rough. The cold winter nights, the relentless rain, the constant fear of being moved along by authorities – these are the daily challenges faced by Malta’s homeless population. “It’s not just about having a roof over your head,” says Maria, a social worker at Dar Merħba Biss, a local homeless shelter. “It’s about having a safe space to rest, to recharge, to be human.”

But finding that safe space is not easy. Many homeless people in Malta face a Catch-22 situation. They need an address to access services, but they can’t get an address without first having a place to sleep. This is where the right to sleep comes into play. It’s not just about having a place to lay your head; it’s about having the right to do so, without fear or discrimination.

So, does Malta’s homeless population have the right to sleep? The answer, according to legal experts, is complex. While Malta’s Constitution guarantees the right to a healthy environment, which could be interpreted as the right to sleep, this right is not absolute. Local councils can, and often do, move homeless people along, citing bylaws that prohibit sleeping in public spaces.

“It’s a Catch-22 situation,” says Dr. Simone Borg, a human rights lawyer. “On one hand, we have international human rights law that recognizes the right to adequate housing, which includes the right to sleep. On the other hand, we have local bylaws that can infringe upon this right.”

So, what can be done? For many, the solution lies in more affordable housing. According to the Housing Authority, there are over 3,000 people on the waiting list for social housing. But with demand outstripping supply, the wait can be long and uncertain.

In the meantime, local charities and NGOs are stepping in to fill the gap. Dar Merħba Biss, for instance, provides not just a bed for the night, but also a warm meal, a shower, and a listening ear. “We’re not just providing a service,” says Maria. “We’re providing dignity.”

But more needs to be done. More affordable housing, more support services, and more understanding from the public. Because the right to sleep is not a luxury; it’s a basic human right. And it’s a right that Malta’s homeless population deserves, every night.

, let’s remember the figure huddled under a blanket in Valletta. Let’s remember that they are not just a statistic, not just a problem to be solved. They are people, seeking a basic human right. And it’s up to us, as a society, to ensure that they get it.