The deployment of 15 'Warm Shelter' buses in the main squares of Tehran is a new initiative aimed at supporting the homeless during the cold days of the year. These buses, with a capacity of about 600 people, will be stationed from November 15 of this year in Shush, Railway, Enghelab Square, Tajrish, and Vali Asr Square.
Services of the Warm Shelter Buses
These buses are set to operate daily from 6 PM to 8 AM the next day, providing the homeless with one hot meal as dinner. Additionally, heating systems will be consistently maintained in these buses. For the first time, social workers will also be present in these buses on a rotating basis to provide more services to those in need.
Readiness of Fixed Shelters in Tehran
Yousef Moghaddami, Deputy for Social Services of the Welfare, Services, and Social Participation Organization of Tehran Municipality, announced that currently, 15 fixed shelters with a main capacity of 1,500 beds are ready to serve the homeless, and this capacity can increase to over 2,000 people considering those who can rest in the shelters. Moghaddami also referred to the improvement of services in the shelters, stating that all equipment in these centers, including blankets and sheets, are clean and in good condition.
Continuous Monitoring of Shelters
He also mentioned the continuous monitoring of the shelters' conditions, adding that this monitoring will continue until the end of the cold season. In collaboration with local municipalities and the police, the 'Warm Shelter' buses will be provided as safe and secure places for the homeless.
Moghaddami also reported on the operation of social service emergency teams 24/7, stating that starting from November 15, all 22 areas of Tehran Municipality will separately add 2 patrols to this capacity. These patrols will be responsible for identifying and transferring beneficiaries and the homeless to fixed and mobile shelters.
