“This place, frequented all year round, is a real place of humanity for the distressed population. Today, we must consider its modernization, which seems very difficult in technically constrained premises,” declared Christian Estrosi.
The night shelter at 14 rue Jules Gilly, not far from the very touristy Cours Saleya, offers emergency accommodation to the most deprived individuals. It has 109 places, including 90 for men and 19 for women. For individuals without any income, the center also offers the possibility to stay for free for 30 days. In addition to providing a roof for the night, it offers access to showers, dinner, and breakfast. “I welcome the decision of Christian Estrosi regarding the upcoming relocation of the Vieux-Nice Emergency Social Reception Center, for which I was committed last February,” stated Eric Ciotti, the first deputy mayor of Nice.
An opportunity for the merchants
“It is precisely to better address the needs of the homeless that the creation of night reception units must be studied, on one or several sites, within the municipal territory,” explained Eric Ciotti, the first deputy.
The site of the new domiciliation is not yet known. Still, the building of the current night shelter will undoubtedly retain its primary role and remain dedicated to social action but with services more adapted to its configuration. “We will need to think about its conversion,” admitted Eric Ciotti.
Formerly the Senate Palace, the building was created in 1614 by Duke of Savoy Charles Emmanuel I. Today, it houses many vagabonds of all nationalities. And the least one can say is that the cohabitation with surrounding merchants is not always easy. The relocation of the night shelter would be advantageous for Nils Degoce-Dumas, manager of “L’Atelier des jouets”: “There are many tensions and altercations in the evening. They squat for hours in front of the shop and drive our customers away.”
The same goes for Annie, a Penitent at the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity. “If they left, it would suit us well. They bother us. Often they come to disrupt prayers, ask us for money as well as clothes.”
As of today, the new address is not yet known, but the municipality is studying all possibilities.
