Marbella Prepares to Improve Care for Homeless People

The Marbella City Council is set to improve services for homeless people, with the budget for this service increasing from 483,000 euros in 2025 to nearly 600,000 euros this year thanks to a new contract that will enhance support throughout the entire year. The contract is in the final stages of being awarded.

BCM Gestión de Servicios, a company based in Málaga and the sole bidder in the tender, is expected to take charge of the service. The contract is set for a period of two years with the option to extend it annually for three more years, replacing the Red Cross, which had provided the service through a subsidy until 2025 and has now ceased to do so.

The contract involves managing the so-called Municipal Center for Homeless People, a name that encompasses the two centers currently operated by the City Council for this group: the Marbella Social Intervention Center, located on Huerta los Guerra Street, and the San Pedro Alcántara Immediate Care Center, on Fantasía Street, along with a third resource: the mobile social unit.

The purpose of the contract includes "promoting change strategies" for users, because "the goal of working with homeless people" is not merely to provide care but "to change the life course, from exclusion to social inclusion"

Additionally, the contract's objective includes "promoting change strategies" for users "by leveraging personal potential," because "the goal of working with homeless people" is not just to provide care but "to change the life course, from exclusion to social inclusion," according to the City Council. They emphasize mediation and support as "facilitating strategies" to achieve this goal.

Contact, support, and assistance

The awarded company must keep both the Marbella Social Intervention Open Center and the San Pedro Alcántara Immediate Care Open Center operational 365 days a year. The former will be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and the latter from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Both facilities are daytime shelters, alternatives to street living for those served, primarily aiming to meet basic needs such as food and hygiene; and providing personal and social support aimed at social integration.

Additionally, at the Marbella municipal center, continuous intervention with users will be conducted through open activities, complementary and reinforcing activities in the established work plan with the person, "with professional follow-up" and aiming to "progressively impact the behaviors and needs" of the users.

The awarded company will hire a social worker and eight social service assistants to provide the service

The mobile social unit will also operate every day of the year, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, to directly assist homeless people on the streets, "especially those who do not approach municipal resources." The City Council explains that this involves providing "close contact, support, and direct help," aiming to meet basic needs and facilitate access to available resources.

All these tasks will be handled by a social worker and eight social service assistants.