Zero Children Living on the Streets Protocol

(V.D.04) Healthcare, (V.D.05) Safety, (V.D.10) Vulnerable Families

The “Zero Children Living on the Streets Protocol” is a comprehensive public policy strategy designed to ensure that no child or adolescent is forced to live on the streets. The protocol establishes coordinated intervention mechanisms aimed at identifying, assisting, protecting, and accompanying children and families in street situations through an integrated network of social, healthcare, educational, and protection services.

The initiative combines immediate emergency responses with long-term social inclusion strategies focused on restoring family autonomy and improving living conditions. Families are provided with access to temporary shelter through Social Inclusion Centers (CIS), psychosocial support, healthcare services, educational reintegration, food assistance, and personalized support plans designed to strengthen pathways toward independent living.

The protocol also prioritizes early intervention and active outreach in public spaces through interdisciplinary teams trained to detect and respond to situations involving children, adolescents, and families living on the streets. Special emphasis is placed on preventing chronic homelessness and interrupting the intergenerational reproduction of poverty and exclusion.

In addition, the strategy promotes interinstitutional coordination among different government agencies, the child protection system, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and community actors in order to guarantee comprehensive and sustained support for vulnerable families.

Official Name of Signatory

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Delegation

Other

Website of the Signatory

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Name of the person presenting the Good Practice

Gabriel Mraida

Position/Job Title of person presenting the Good Practice

Minister of Human Development and Habitat

Aim of the Good Practice

To eradicate child homelessness in the City of Buenos Aires by guaranteeing the comprehensive protection of children’s rights and promoting the reconstruction of autonomous life projects for vulnerable families experiencing homelessness or extreme social vulnerability.

Target Group of the Good Practice

Family Unit, Parents, Children & Youth, Women

Annual Monitoring Report

2026

Implementation period

January 2024 - Present

Consistency over time

The long-term consistency of the “Zero Children Living on the Streets Protocol” is supported by Law No. 3706/2010, which establishes the protection and comprehensive assistance of homeless individuals as a priority State policy in the City of Buenos Aires. This legal framework guarantees the continuity of public policies aimed at preventing and addressing homelessness beyond changes in government administrations. In addition to the law, the City has implemented a standardized operational protocol specifically designed to address situations involving children and families living on the streets. This protocol establishes clear intervention procedures and coordinated response mechanisms to be activated whenever a child, adolescent, or family is identified in a street situation. The protocol is implemented jointly with the Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of the City of Buenos Aires and includes interdisciplinary outreach teams, immediate protection measures, referral pathways, and follow-up actions to ensure the comprehensive protection of children’s rights and the safe inclusion of families into the social protection system.

Evaluation of the Good Practice

The initiative is evaluated through the Homeless Population Survey (REPSIC), conducted twice a year with the objective of counting, geographically locating, and identifying the basic sociodemographic characteristics of the homeless population in the City of Buenos Aires. This monitoring system provides updated evidence regarding the scale and characteristics of homelessness, allowing policymakers to assess trends, identify vulnerable groups, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and improve public policies and service provision for families and children in street situations.

Key stakeholders and partnerships

Governments (national, regional, local), Public administration, Social protection system, Business (employers), Service sector (Educational and childcare institutions), Healthcare providers, NGOs

Link for more information

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Future Goal 1

Promote early warning mechanisms capable of identifying situations of vulnerability before street life becomes a permanent condition for children and families.

Future Goal 2

Develop sustainable long-term solutions through evidence-based public policies focused on strengthening the progressive autonomy of vulnerable families.

Future Goal 3

Strengthen strategic partnerships with civil society organizations, foundations, faith-based organizations, the private sector, and international agencies in order to expand support networks and improve social inclusion strategies.