The French state reminds the limits in Angers for hosting displaced populations

The French state has reminded to Angers associations and maybe others that the policy dedicated to homelesses against winter should not lead to host more refugees. "The winter operation we are working on is not designed as a draught to asylum seekers", said François Burdeyron, prefect of Maine-et-Loire. The state representative notices that last year more than 300 places out of 400 were used by asylum seekers instead of homeless people. About 10 000 overnight stays have been paid to hotels last year 7 000 of whom for asylum seekers. 

Their cost was above the subsidies received by Angers city from the French state. "These came here because they found in Angers an hotel. We must find for them rustic instead of comfortable solutions", said Mr Burdeyron. That one criticized Angers associations and even representatives who, in the past, claimed their pride to host displaced populations (coming from Eastern African and Eastern European countries) before recognizing that the necessary resources local authority could dedicate were limited.

The French state had found, as it promised to do so, a temporary facility to host refugees and homelesses in a disused gymnasium located not far from the Saint-Laud railway station. Very uncomfortable, the place is nevertheless best than the street and cheaper than an hotel, said the prefect who added that Angers city has offered to implement a further facility for twenty persons.