There are 1,531 people in Tbilisi with homeless status, Gela Chiviashvili, head of Tbilisi Social Service Agency told IPN news agency.
He said that between 2017 and 2019 6,467 people requested homeless status in the capital. However, 4,588 have been refused the status for several reasons.
To receive homeless status an individual must not have registered real estate in Tbilisi. The individuals requesting the status must be registered in Tbilisi and the circulation of money in their bank accounts must not be more than minimum wage and the sum needed to pay for rent.
There is one shelter for the homeless in Tbilisi for 240 beneficiaries [currently there are only 110 people] and three social houses with more than 1,000 individuals,” Chiviashvili said.
He stated that Tbilisi City Hall covers all expenses for the homeless shelter, while people living in social houses are provided only with free accommodation.