Homeless people? In the wealthy canton of Zug? Surely not

It is not an unusual sight in big cities in the USA and in Europe to see homeless people sleeping in doorways or begging on the streets, their faithful dogs by their side.
 
Surely it cannot be possible that there are homeless people in a canton as wealthy Zug. They may not be easily seen but indications are that there are around 12, and that the problem is growing.
 
Fortunately, Bernhard Tobler (photograph), a former pharmacist from Baar, has taken it upon himself to do something about the plight of homeless people here in Zug. It was some months ago now that social workers asked Tobler, a member of the board of the Children’s and Young People’s Advisory Centre, (KJBZ) to look into the problem.
 
The reasons for being homeless in the canton of Zug are, of course, the same for those elsewhere, as Tobler listed unemployment, stay-away or move-out orders placed on people keeping them away from certain locations (including their original home), drug addiction, and indebtedness. One aspect which accentuates the problem in Zug is that there is nowhere set up for them to go to spend the night. “That they remain invisible for the most part might be a good thing for some people,” said the 68-year-old, who considers helping those on the edge of society part of his Christian duty.
 
At present a survey is being undertaken to find out exactly how many homeless people there are in the canton, with information gathered about their age, where they come from and why they are in this predicament. So far ten have been interviewed and the results are to be evaluated soon. This should also help to assess if a home for such people needs to be set up. There is emergency accommodation in a number of municipalities in the canton, but such places are not intended for homeless people, and are often let out on a long-term basis. With rents high in the canton anyway, there is little chance of them finding anywhere without support.
 
It is only natural, too, that landlords do not welcome tenants who have been subject to debt enforcement measures, either. What is important is that these people have an address they can to give authorities, so that, for example, they have access to health insurance and other social services. Without this, it is very difficult for them to re-integrate into society
 
Tobler and his team realise that funding is essential, a low six-figure sum being quoted, hence approaches are being made to various bodies for help.