The Mariakirken night shelter in Copenhagen faces significant challenges in providing adequate shelter and support for homeless migrants, particularly during the winter months. The shelter, which is only open from November 15 to April 30, is often overcrowded and underfunded, leaving many individuals without a safe place to sleep.
The demand for shelter far exceeds the available capacity. Although the church is permitted to accommodate 25 people, the number of homeless individuals seeking refuge often surpasses this limit, resulting in a lottery system that leaves some out in the cold.
The majority of the shelter’s users are poverty migrants from Romania, many of whom are Roma. These individuals often lack access to the same resources and support as other vulnerable groups in Denmark. They resort to living and working on the streets to earn money for their families’ basic needs, education, and healthcare in Romania.
The presence of migrants in the Maria Kirkeplads area has led to conflicts with neighbors and businesses, who have complained about noise and disturbances. The situation highlights the need for solutions that address the needs of both the migrants and the local community.
Mariakirken has established a “Social effort at Maria Kirkeplads” to provide counseling, job search assistance, interpretation services, repatriation support, and medical accompaniment. However, the most pressing need remains a safe place to sleep.
The night shelter’s funding is dependent on annual applications to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing and the Municipality of Copenhagen, without any guarantee of continued support. This uncertainty makes it difficult to provide consistent and reliable services.
The project manager of the social effort at Mariakirken is advocating for the establishment of a permanent, year-round shelter, with access to basic amenities such as toilets and shelter from the elements. She also calls for targeted efforts to help migrants find employment and integrate into Danish society. She emphasizes that migrants are individuals with the same basic needs and desires as everyone else.