The recent spate of power cuts left families struggling to cope with extreme temperatures, some for days on end.These were brutal.People sought refuge in hotels, slept in the communal corridors of apartment blocks or escaped to the air-conditioning of their cars until the power returned.For people experiencing homelessness, however, there was no electricity to lose and often, nowhere to escape to. As Malta endured record-breaking temperatures, surviving the summer became a daily struggle for drinking water, shade and somewhere safe to rest.Lovin Malta spoke to YMCA Malta, the country’s largest organisation dedicated to tackling homelessness, to understand the daily realities of sleeping rough during one of Malta’s hottest summers on record.One man recently spent hours walking around Malta looking for somewhere cool enough to sit down.“This left him exhausted. With severe sunburn and dehydration, he became unwell on several occasions,” YMCA CEO Anthony Camilleri recalled.A Daily Fight Against The HeatMalta’s latest heatwave began on 16th July, with the Met Office recording 43.3°C on 19th July – the highest July temperature ever recorded in Malta. It also marked the first time temperatures of 42°C or higher persisted for three consecutive days.For most people, escaping the heat means retreating indoors, switching on a fan or air-conditioning, taking a cold shower or drinking a glass of chilled water. For people sleeping rough, none of those basic comforts can be taken for granted.Without access to a home or reliable shelter, simply getting through the day becomes a challenge. Alongside the daily questions of where to sleep safely and where the next meal will come from, a heatwave adds two more urgent concerns: where can I find drinking water, and where can I cool down, even briefly?The struggle extends far beyond the temperature itself. People experiencing homelessness often have to carry all of their belongings with them, walk long distances between services and public spaces, protect medication or food from spoiling in the heat and remain constantly alert to their personal safety. Living with this uncertainty places an enormous physical and emotional strain on a person.How YMCA HelpsWhile emergency support is critical during heatwaves, Camilleri stressed that YMCA’s long-term mission remains helping people move from homelessness into stable housing.YMCA runs a Drop-In Centre, three shelters, and an outreach programme. These services provide sometimes life-saving respite from the merciless heat.YMCA’s teams have aided people suffering with dehydration, heat exhaustion, severe fatigue and prolonged sun exposure.A report from a Canadian organisation called The Homeless Hub highlight the heat-related complications that those experiencing homelessness are exposed to. These include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, insomnia and increased drug or alcohol use to “escape the misery”.The most at risk are generally older adults, people with chronic health conditions, individuals with mental health difficulties, pregnant women and people taking medication.The Drop-In-Centre becomes crucial in these periods: people can walk in, drink some water and access a cool, safe indoor environment. Many people visit the centre to refill their bottles, grab some sunscreen, use the showers, rest and spend a few hours away from the intense heat.The number of daily visitors has not risen dramatically amid the summer; however, people tend to remain at the centre for longer periods because they have few other suitable places to go. This increases the pressure on the YMCA which must handle the growing demand on their limited space, facilities and frontline team which see some 40 to 50 people each day.“We are doing everything possible within our current capacity, but our current Drop-In Centre is relatively small and demand during the hottest hours can test the limits of the space available,” Camilleri explained.Sometimes, however, people need to seek shade elsewhere.Relief is often sought in shopping centres or other air-conditioned public places. But these are not always accessible for extended periods and can be unwelcoming. Fortunately, there are specific coffee shops and hotels that allow roofless and homeless individuals to remain in their spaces to cool and rest.What Is The Government Doing?Running YMCA’s services costs between €800,000 and €1 million a year. While part of its residential operations is co-funded by the government, the organisation still needs to raise more than €400,000 annually through donations and fundraising to continue offering its full range of support services.Despite the exceptional temperatures, YMCA managed the immediate response using its existing resources and frontline teams, without additional support. Camilleri said the organisation values its ongoing relationship with the government and public authorities but believes responses to extreme weather are strongest when public services and voluntary organisations work closely together.He welcomed the government’s recently announced cooling centres for elderly people with health conditions but argued that people experiencing homelessness should also be explicitly considered in relevant initiatives because they are among those most exposed to prolonged high temperatures.“The key issue is not only whether a cooling space exists, but whether it is accessible in practice: people need to know where it is, be able to enter without unnecessary barriers and feel safe and welcome there,” Camilleri said, adding that YMCA Malta would be happy to work with the authorities to ensure “nobody is left without a safe place to cool down.”Camilleri also pointed out that homelessness is not the only form of housing vulnerability exposed by extreme weather. YMCA supports families living in housing whose electricity has been disconnected because of unpaid utility bills, leaving some to endure the summer heat without power.“Extreme weather reminds us that homelessness is not only the absence of a roof; it is a state of heightened vulnerability,” Camilleri said.Donation information:If you want to help YMCA Malta continue its incredible work, you can donate necessary items to the Drop-In-Centre or donate money.Donate with Bank TransferYMCA VallettaBank of VallettaRepublic Street, Valletta MTBIC: VALLMTMTAccount No: MT24VALL 2201 3000 0000 4002 1938 069Please include your full name and contact number.Donate with RevolutBIC: REVOLT21IBAN: LT 6132 5001 9883 319 222Please include your full name and contact number.Sponsor a BED‘Sponsor a BED’ covers the daily, weekly or monthly costs we incur for providing a bed and board to someone in need of shelter at our Dar Niki Cassar or Y Communal House.Sponsor a BED for 1 day€15Sponsor a BED for 1 week€105Sponsor a BED for 1 month€365Donate with SMSDonate €4.66Send a blank message to 50618088Donate €11.65Send a blank message to 50619212Donate by CallingCall 51702068 for a donation of €15Call 51802007 for a donation of €25Call 51902073 for a donation of €50Donate with Mobile Pay79550065Donate with Paypalpaypal.me/ymcamaltaIf you’re sleeping rough during Malta’s blazing summer and want to raise awareness by sharing your story, reach out to hello@lovinmalta.com•