ISTANBUL

Dozens of homeless people, including nearly 90 children, slept outside Paris City Hall on Tuesday night, demanding access to emergency shelter, according to migrant support group Utopia 56.

Organized by Utopia 56, the demonstration began Tuesday evening and continued into the morning of Wednesday, the French news broadcaster BFM TV reported.

The association said over 200 people, half of them children, were forced to sleep on the ground in sleeping bags and blankets due to the lack of available accommodation.

Fatuma Ali, a Somali refugee, said she had been living in France since 2018 and was previously housed by social services.

However, five months ago, she was evicted due to a shortage of space.

“Since then, I haven’t been able to find shelter. I sleep on the street or on the night bus with my children,” she said.

“We will stay as long as no housing is offered,” said Yan Manzi, the group’s general delegate, stressing that volunteers from the organization attempt daily to secure emergency shelter for vulnerable families turned away from standard reception facilities.

Utopia 56 warned that the situation worsens during the summer months as public services slow down, schools and gymnasiums close, and many volunteers go on vacation, further reducing options for emergency shelter.

In response, the City of Paris said it continues to open shelters “summer and winter” for families in need.

It stated that more than 1,000 people eligible for state care are currently housed in municipal facilities, including converted gyms, and more than 3,000 people in families are being supported overall.

The city also called on the French government to take responsibility for the situation.

“We request the state’s involvement in providing adequate care for these individuals,” the municipality said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Ile-de-France regional province, which oversees shelter allocation, denied any closures of emergency housing facilities during the summer.