Emergency Support for Homeless Individuals in France During the COVID-19 Crisis

The lockdowns brought on by the pandemic had a severe impact on the daily lives of people experiencing homelessness, worsening their difficulties and increasing their social isolation.

In fact, food and outreach services provided by social organizations were drastically reduced. Access to essential services—such as storage facilities, public showers, and reliable health information—became difficult, if not impossible.

To support homeless individuals in France during the pandemic, the Jeankerber Foundation, under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, chose to support the Corona Entraide project in collaboration with the organization Entourage Social. Corona Entraide aims to facilitate access to essential products and services for people living on the streets. The association also trains and informs the wider public to promote civic engagement despite confinement measures.

This project, focused on combating isolation among the homeless, launched a variety of initiatives:

• Online awareness workshops for the general public
• “Les Bonnes Ondes”: a program to offer phone-based companionship to homeless individuals
• Digital events to foster solidarity
• A dedicated helpline and team to respond to calls from homeless individuals or concerned neighbors

So far, the project has supported more than 500 homeless individuals and 4,000 local residents through its helpline. Additionally, more than 63,000 people have been informed and engaged through Entourage’s newsletter, helping to raise awareness and encourage action.