Help for families and children in housing crisis. Romodrom launches the collection "Home is not a given"

"The situation regarding housing availability is very difficult for many people we work with, and in recent years, it has been worsening. We encounter people who, despite their efforts, repeatedly face barriers that prevent them from obtaining stable and safe housing – whether it's high rents, debt traps, or persistent prejudices from some landlords," said Romodrom's operations director Michaela Cinová, adding that the Safe Home Fund will help overcome these obstacles.

According to the 2024 Housing Exclusion Report, approximately 161,000 people are in housing need, including 62,000 children under 18. Around 1.6 million residents of the Czech Republic experience some form of serious housing problems, and families of nearly 100,000 children are at risk of losing their homes. Romodrom works with many of them, including mothers with children and war refugees from Ukraine, to help them not only secure housing but also achieve long-term independence.

Now, in the pre-Christmas period, the non-governmental organization aims to raise funds from the public for basic furnishings for people in need, as well as to cover school supplies and other necessities for children. The organizers of the fundraiser point out that growing up in inadequate housing conditions, such as hostels, not only means a lack of space and privacy for the youngest ones but also affects their childhood as a whole. Hostels often lack a quiet place for studying, a safe space for play, and the opportunity to invite friends over.

"From an early age, children learn to adapt to noise, moving from room to room, or the fear of losing their 'home' at any time. Such an environment leaves them feeling uncertain. We see children who are more sensitive, withdrawn, have trouble concentrating, or feel ashamed of where they live. Yet, they are not to blame at all. They grow up in conditions where they cannot experience a normal, safe, and joyful childhood – something that should be taken for granted," explains Cinová.

The collection to support the Safe Home Fund is based on long-standing, data-supported practice. Romodrom has been implementing projects since 2019 according to the Housing First principle, combining housing in regular apartments with intensive social support. It focuses on people without homes and living in inadequate housing. It helps them enter into a regular rental relationship with apartment owners, who can rely on various guarantees within the system. In just one year, by 2024, Romodrom housed 107 families as part of the Housing First projects. The project is currently running in 4 regions with the goal of housing an additional 77 households by 2028, including families from Ukraine. "Dignified housing is not just a roof over your head. It is a feeling of security, peace, and safety. It is a place where children can dream, learn, grow, and develop their potential. Every child deserves to start life with this solid foundation. That is why it is so important for families to have the opportunity to move from extremely difficult housing conditions to an environment that is a real home for children and parents," concludes Cinová. The Safe Home Fund should be another piece of the puzzle that will facilitate families' entry into more stable functioning and help overcome the most common obstacles.

Additional Resources

Safe Home Fund: a bridge between temporary accommodation and stable housing 
People in housing crisis usually lack the means for a deposit, moving, or basic apartment furnishings. The Safe Home Fund finances these initial steps towards stable housing, without which even motivated families remain trapped in shelters and asylum houses. Donors can also get involved regularly, for example, from 250 CZK per month, and thus support families in need of housing in the long term. 

Media Contact:  
Jan Kašpárek, Head of PR Department 
e-mail: jan.kasparek@romodrom.cz 
tel.: +420 770 331 669 

Links: 

> Organization's website HERE. 

> Safe Home Fund campaign HERE. 

About Romodrom Organization

Romodrom, o. p. s. is a non-profit organization with over 20 years of experience in social services, accompanying people in challenging life situations. It focuses on comprehensive support – from housing through child support to preventing social exclusion. The organization operates in multiple regions of the Czech Republic and implements projects focused on socially excluded areas and vulnerable families.

In the field of housing, Romodrom has long-standing expertise and has received several awards in this area. For example, the Ending Homelessness Awards (2021) for the Housing First project and Gypsy Spirit (2013) for examples of good practice in Roma integration. The organization's founder, Marie Gailová, received the Alice Garrigue Masaryk Award in 2024 for lifelong contributions to human rights.