With no recent data yet to be released, the councillor said that the results collected so far point to a "downward trend" in the number of homeless people.


"At the end of the year we'll make a more accurate assessment, but this is the trend and the data we have points in that direction," he highlighted.


On 31 December 2022, Porto had 647 homeless people, 83 fewer than in 2021. Most of these people (476) were living in social centres, but 171 were homeless.


The councillor believes that the "more careful and closer management" of the Social Integration Income (RSI) processes and the Social Assistance and Monitoring Service (SAAS) contributed to the downward trend, as a result of the transfer of competences in the social area, which took place in Porto in April.


"We were able to mitigate and prevent some situations of exclusion and poverty," said Fernando Paulo, highlighted the work also carried out in terms of prevention.


Despite the possible downward trend in homelessness in Porto, Fernando Paulo pointed out the need to "adapt responses and interventions", especially at the downtown level, for people with drug addiction and mental illness.


Drug, alcohol and other substance abuse, unemployment, family situation and mental illness were the main reasons given for homelessness.


In terms of temporary housing, in Porto, there are 271 beds in temporary accommodation centres and integration communities, 78 beds in social accommodation centres and 60 beds in shared flats.


"Only Social Security will be able to clarify the number of possible vacancies," added the councillor.