Associations supporting the homeless in Portugal believe there are around 3,000 people currently living on the streets.
The Social Security Institute (ISS) registered 2,133 homeless people in Portugal four years ago, but support groups believe that figure has increased significantly.
Loss of employment and family breakdown are nowadays pointed as the main reasons for people becoming homeless followed by drug addiction and psychiatric problems, according to data from the ISS for 2009.
Click here to follow the Algarve Resident on facebook
