The figure corresponds to those who are officially registered in the Social Household Registry, that is, those who voluntarily seek some type of help to cope with their lives.

This means that the real figure is much larger and includes irregular migration, a sector whose members, due to their legal status, do not usually go to government institutions.

The regions with the highest concentration of homeless individuals are the Metropolitan, with 8,780, Valparaíso (2,485) and Biobío (1,774).

On the contrary, where this social phenomenon is least observed is in Los Ríos (279); La Araucanía (292), and Ñuble (392).

According to an investigation published by newspaper La Tercera, in the city of Santiago they tend to be observed more frequently in the central La Alameda-Providencia axis, despite the programs of the municipalities concerned to solve this problem.

Regarding the causes, more than 12 thousand of those registered in the Social Household Registry indicated family breakdown and about four thousand indicated abuse in the consumption of drugs or alcohol.

Other reasons indicated are serious or sudden financial problems, chronic illnesses or difficulties with the law.

Given the imminent arrival of winter, the authorities activated the so-called Blue Code to help the homeless, which is complemented by the Protect Street Plan, which includes 88 shelters.

For those who, despite everything, choose to remain outdoors, social and medical routes are organized with the purpose of attending to their urgent needs.

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