Costa Rica launches Puertas Abiertas to address rising homelessness

The Costa Rican government has launched ‘Puertas Abiertas’ (Open Doors), an inter-institutional strategy designed to address the rising homelessness crisis. The initiative aims to coordinate social services, healthcare, security, and reintegration efforts through a unified roadmap involving the Presidency, the Social Assistance Institute, the Social Security Fund, and various ministries.

In San José, Mayor Diego Miranda reported that approximately 2,300 people are currently living on the streets, contributing to a national figure exceeding 6,000. This represents a tripling of the homeless population over the last decade. The mayor has called for urgent executive intervention, citing the strain on municipal services, the occupation of public spaces, and the impact on local businesses and safety.

Gabriela Jiménez, president of the National Union of Local Governments, noted that the plan follows a presidential mandate issued in June to move away from fragmented responses and toward a coordinated effort between state institutions and local municipalities.