HARSH TIMES ⟩ Detox centers have become secret "winter shelters": the number of people in need of shelter has significantly increased
Estonian detox centers are increasingly serving as hidden winter shelters for the homeless, with a notable rise in the number of individuals seeking refuge from harsh winter conditions.
Shelters do not kick the homeless out into the cold, but many choose to leave themselves
Homeless individuals in Estonia are facing extreme cold as the year 2026 begins, prompting some to seek shelter in shopping centers instead of staying at designated shelters.
Unified rules for the construction of shelters are established in Estonia
The Estonian Ministry of the Interior has proposed a regulation to standardize requirements for the construction of shelters and adapting refuge sites.
The state supports apartment associations in adapting shelters with up to 35,000 euros
The Estonian government announced a funding program allowing apartment associations to apply for up to 35,000 euros to adapt their buildings for shelter purposes, targeting those with at least 1,200 m² of closed net area and three apartments.