The Committee on Social Policy and the Admiralteysky District administration are discussing transferring a shower facility for the homeless to a different organization following a dispute over access. The potential change aims to improve the availability of low-threshold social services for this vulnerable population.

The conflict arose on May 21 when a homeless woman was denied access to the shower at the Comprehensive Center for Social Services (KTSOSN) of the Admiralteysky District. Sergey Ievkov, director of the “Charitable Hospital,” brought the woman to the facility before her hospitalization, but staff members expressed concerns about potential illness and lice, as well as the lack of documentation.

While the woman was eventually allowed to shower, the incident led to further complications. The KTSOSN director reportedly banned the “Charitable Hospital” vehicle from the premises and threatened to involve the police, highlighting ongoing tensions between the organization and the social services center.

Svetlana Agapitova, St. Petersburg’s ombudsman for human rights, intervened to mediate the situation. She advised the “Charitable Hospital” to avoid bringing individuals with lice or open wounds to the city shower, citing KTSOSN regulations. Agapitova suggested using the City Disinfection Station for individuals with pediculosis and offered to assist the “Charitable Hospital” in securing appointments.

Agapitova also emphasized the need for easier access to showers for the homeless. Her office proposed including a low-threshold shower for the homeless in the regional list of social services, a recommendation submitted to the head of the Committee on Social Policy, Elena Fidrikova.

The Committee on Social Policy acknowledged Agapitova’s appeal, prompted by Vice Governor Natalya Chechina. They stated that St. Petersburg already offers a comprehensive range of social services for the homeless, exceeding the federal list in both total items and urgent services.

The committee also highlighted the role of charitable organizations in supporting the homeless, noting that the “Charitable Hospital” received city subsidies for this purpose in 2025. Organizations like “Nochlezhka” also provide essential services such as laundry facilities.

To address the accessibility issues, the Committee on Social Policy is collaborating with the Admiralteysky District to explore transferring the shower facility from the KTSOSN to the St. Petersburg State Public Institution “Center for Registration and Social Services for Citizens of the Russian Federation without a Fixed Place of Residence,” which falls under the committee’s jurisdiction. This potential transfer aims to streamline access to this vital service for the homeless population.