Porto council evacuates homeless camp under Vidoquet Rua do Grij

The Porto City Council has initiated a large-scale operation to clear an improvised homeless camp located beneath the Vidoquet Rua do Grij in the Pastaleira district. City crews are removing makeshift shelters, furniture, clothing, and accumulated waste from the area. The operation is being overseen by PSP police officers, with cleaning crews actively working under the viaduct to restore the public space.

Among the items removed during the cleanup are mattresses, personal belongings, and significant amounts of garbage. Reports from the scene also noted the presence of used syringes in the area, highlighting the complex conditions within the encampment. This action is part of a broader municipal effort to address homelessness and restore public areas that have been occupied by makeshift camps.

Residents who previously slept under the viaduct are being directed to a new urban night center located in the Lordello do Oro district. This facility, housed in a former EB1 Elementary School, currently accommodates 120 individuals. The center is designed to provide immediate overnight shelter and is open seven days a week, serving men, women, individuals with limited mobility, and those accompanied by pets.

The Lordello Center operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with entry permitted between 20:30 and 22:30 and departure until 9:00 the following morning. Beyond providing beds, the facility offers laundry services, breakfast, and dedicated social support. Clothing is also available through the CASA Homeless Support Association, which partners with the city to assist those in need.

Gabriela Kiroz, a member of the Porto Council for Social Cohesion Affairs, described the new center as an “innovative response” that fills a gap in previously available support. She noted that the facility is being gradually implemented to allow the council to assess its effectiveness, reporting that initial user response has been positive, with some individuals returning on consecutive nights. The renovated school includes separate bathing facilities on different floors and three outdoor shower areas.

While the center aims to provide a path toward more permanent housing solutions through special social assistance, some individuals facing eviction from the viaduct area have expressed opposition to the move. Despite the availability of alternative accommodation, these residents have made it clear that they do not wish to leave the current location. The council continues to balance the restoration of public spaces with the provision of dignified shelter for vulnerable neighbors.

This municipal effort reflects a broader commitment to addressing housing insecurity and providing care for those experiencing homelessness. The establishment of the Lordello Center seeks to offer a structured alternative to street living, emphasizing both immediate relief and long-term social support. In the spirit of justice and mercy, such initiatives aim to uphold the dignity of every person, echoing the call to care for the vulnerable and provide for those in need, as seen in the principles of Proverbs 31:8-9.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)