The director of the Department for Community Social Development of the San Juan Municipality, Francine Sánchez Marcano, highlighted initiatives from cities like Barcelona, such as taking mental health professionals to the streets, to better serve chronic participants. This discussion took place during the Second Meeting of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI), which brought together 13 representatives from cities like Buenos Aires, Madrid, Quito, and Santo Domingo.
San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo estimated that the city's homeless population has been around 500-600 people in the past two years. The meeting aims to replicate successful models and adapt them to Puerto Rico, addressing not only homelessness but also the challenges faced by the aging population in San Juan.
The UCCI's director general, Luciana Binaghi Getar, noted that many cities are investing more in social development programs focused on human dignity, with a growing global awareness of population aging.