Being on the street in winter can be life-threatening. In Linz, the emergency shelter and heat rooms are overcrowded. And these days, the Christmas spirit still puts pressure on the minds of many homeless people. Felix also lives on the street, he tells the “Krone” about his fate.
The inner city of Linz shines in the Christmas lights, it smells of punch and chestnuts. Change of scenery at the bus station: the thermometer shows zero degrees, it’s windy and cold and wet. We meet Felix (25), a tall young man, neatly dressed. What you don’t see at first glance: Felix is homeless. In his youth he used weed, later harder and harder drugs. During the withdrawal, he meets a woman and moves in with her. The divorce follows and he ends up on the street.
Two years on the road
That was two years ago, since then he often spends his nights at the bus station. He wears everyday clothes, gloves, a hood, a thick jacket and shoes when he crawls into two sleeping bags at night. “It’s still cold,” he reports. “If you’re homeless, you’ve already made up for everything,” continues Felix – and that Christmas has no special meaning for him.
How will he spend Christmas Eve? “Maybe with my mother,” he says, but the relationship is tense, the last phone call he had audibly too much to drink. When that doesn’t work, he meets other homeless people at the bus station, drinks, kills time.
In demand more than ever in the cold season
Thomas Niedermayr, street worker at association B37, confirms that the mood for the holidays is changing. “Many are now remembering everything they have lost: family, friends, home”. During the cold season, social workers are challenged more than ever. People who cannot be referred to the emergency shelter are given the most necessary things: insulation mats, sleeping bags.
About 50 to 70 homeless people in Linz live exclusively on the street, shun the alcohol ban in emergency shelters or cannot stand being together in a closed space due to psychological problems. But readiness increases significantly in winter.
Hurry to a warm room
An increased rush is also noticeable in the warming chamber of Caritas. “People stay longer in the winter,” says director Klaus Schwarzgruber. Whether it’s to warm up or spend time playing cards. Up to 100 customers visit the boiler room every day, “it gets tight with 70 to 80 people, so the first ones leave voluntarily”.
Christmas is depressing
He also notices that the Christmas atmosphere touches the heart of the homeless. Therefore, too much decoration is deliberately avoided. But on Christmas Eve there is a special meal, the social workers take a lot of time for their clients.
Does Felix have a wish for Sinterklaas? “To get my life back on track.”
“Cancer Saved Me”
Sonja T. (43) was 19 when her mother kicked her out in 1998 and ended up on the street. She has had an apartment since 2018, works as a cleaner and for the street newspaper “Kupfermuckn”.
“OÖ Krone”: What was the moment you ended up on the street?
Sonja T.: stupid! The first few days I still had money left over for food and drinks. Then the money ran out, I didn’t know where to go. I slept under a tree at night and was picked up by the police and taken to the emergency shelter. There I was informed about the possibilities for the homeless.
Were you shocked?
Yes, as a woman even more so. But I gave myself an elephant skin, never tolerated anything.
What’s the worst thing about homelessness?
You have to wander all day, from one heating room to another, you are never at home, you never get any rest.
How did you manage to get out then?
Because of my cancer. When I got through this, I told myself something had to change. It was my last chance to get out relatively unscathed.
They then lived in shared flats and got their first apartment in 2018. How was the feeling?
It wasn’t all finished yet, but I just thought to myself, “Finally rest!”
What do you say to people who think the homeless are to blame for their situation?
Divorce, separation and job loss are usually the causes. After years on the road, many give up. It often takes a drastic experience to get out.
Do you still occasionally meet old friends?
Of course, in the park or at the train station. But I stopped giving good advice. One talks like with all other acquaintances.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
