Lyon children face homelessness as heatwave intensifies aid efforts

In Villeurbanne, a parents' group called Des clefs pour Toi has secured a partnership with the charity Toit à moi to buy an apartment for an Albanian family that has lived in the city for ten years without permanent housing. The collective aims to raise €200,000 from 170 donors paying €20 a month for five years, creating a “starter” home for the family and future cases.

At the same time, the local organisation Jamais Sans Toit reports that 386 children, including 26 babies, are currently sleeping on the streets across the Lyon metropolis, a 32 % rise over the same period four years ago. The children are especially vulnerable during the current heatwave, with experts warning of rapid dehydration and heat‑related health risks. The group also criticises upcoming municipal decisions that could evict families from informal shelters, urging officials to engage with the collective.

Both initiatives highlight the growing child‑homelessness crisis in Lyon and the challenges of providing safe accommodation during extreme weather conditions.