Testimony from a homeless Gibraltarian

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 Monday, January 22, 2018 - 11:49

Bubbling below surface of the glittering wealth showering certain sectors of Gibraltar’s community, there lies a dark underbelly of homelessness where vulnerable people find themselves trapped within a vicious cycle of uncertainty.

 Gibraltar has no official homeless shelter and, as a result, there are many locals and foreigners who have nowhere to turn to find a roof over their heads. 

The Rock prides itself as a charitable multicultural community that ‘takes care of its own’. However, apart from the volunteers and organisations who are shackled with the responsibility to pick up the pieces of those who fall into this ever-widening gyre of homelessness, most will deny its very existence within Gibraltar’s ‘perfect’ society.

In fact, a Cuban man suffering from mental health issues pleaded guilty last Thursday to being an illegal immigrant and the judge had no choice but to send him to prison.

“It’s the only place we have,” Stipendiary Magistrate Charles Pitto told the court.

A testimony from a homeless Gibraltarian, 58, suffering from mental health issues, a father of three, who, due to the taboo surrounding this subject on the Rock, has chosen to remain anonymous is featured in a two-page report in our paper edition.

22-01-18 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR