Left luggage offices for the homeless

The homeless are literally burdened and stigmatised by their belongings which can be lost or stolen. There are very few left-luggage offices which are appropriate for the homeless. Those that exist only allow baggage to be left for a limited period, and are only open once or twice a week. This does not allow the homeless to leave all their belongings while dealing with everyday business, necessary official action, looking after their health, or looking for work. A group consisting of both homeless people and those with fixed abodes started a scheme to create a left-luggage office, open twice a day, in the Halles area of Paris. It is innovative for three reasons : firstly, it considers the needs of its users ; secondly, it is established within a quartier (a quarter or urban living district) ; and lastly, it functions because of the co-operation of its users. Elected representatives from the political spectrum supported the project, the bankers were won over, municipal premises were found, and it will be active very soon, less than one year later.