As winter approaches, the Les Bureaux du Cœur association connects people on the street with businesses able to accommodate them for a few months.
It was in the premises of the Handicall company in Étampes, in Essonne, that Gradi Ntala found refuge four months ago. After being kicked out by his father, he lives in these 140 square meter premises. Without this initiative from the Les Bureaux du Cœur association, the 20-year-old young man would be on the street, like 300,000 people in France according to the latest count from the Abbé Pierre Foundation.
Across the country, the Les Bureaux du Cœur association offers companies that wish to temporarily welcome precarious people on the street into their premises. “When I found this place where I could sleep peacefully, I was happy“, confides Gradi Ntala. For a maximum of six months, he will be able to sleep on a large foldable bed installed in a meeting room. The premises also have a bathroom, a small interior courtyard, toilets and even a kitchen he uses.
“It helped me finish my training”
Most of the time, during the week, the young man is absent and returns in the evening. Because this emergency accommodation allows him to move forward. “It helped me finish my training“, he explains. Anna Jardin-Lévêque, president of Handicall, is very happy to help the young man and did not hesitate when she heard about the Bureaux du Cœur during a conference: “I found this idea really great because we use resources that are there to make them available to people who need them.“.
:quality(50)/2023/11/05/20231103-100422-6547a31e1918c616750126.jpg)
The manager also plans to accommodate other people after Gradi’s departure. “We are very happy with this initiative and the experience we have with Gradi, who obtained his training and started work, she rejoices. I think we can all agree to continue and welcome other guests.“
Solidarity to alleviate the housing crisis
In total, 140 people are accommodated in 22 French cities thanks to the Bureaux du Coeur. Kinda Garman, general director of the association, calls on leaders for solidarity in the midst of the housing crisis.
“Very few companies maximize the use of their spaces. These empty spaces, heated in winter, air-conditioned in summer, could be used in a very simple gesture of solidarity.”
Kinda Garman, Director of Offices of the Heartfranceinfo
All companies can participate, under five conditions: “The establishment of a sleeping area, a kitchen area with at least a fridge and a microwave, toilets, a wardrobe and a shower“, explains Kinda Garman. For the moment, 150 companies are partners of the Bureaux du Coeur.