Published on: 2026-09-28
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The E.P. Glinka Social Adaptation Center opened in Moscow in 1996 as a night shelter. It long ceased to be just a place for temporary overnight stay and has grown into a full-fledged system of comprehensive assistance. In 2017, the institution was named after the doctor and philanthropist Elizaveta Glinka.
“Tens of thousands of people have walked the path from living on the street to finding their own home during the center’s operation. In just the last five years, 2,600 people have been able to return to a normal life. These are individuals who underwent a long-term assistance program at the center, as well as those who could not leave Moscow for their home regions but have finally returned home. The stories vary greatly: some found jobs, others regained property rights and were able to live in their apartments again, while others reconciled with their families or received permanent care in social institutions of Moscow and non-profit organizations,” said Olga Ustimova, director of the E.P. Glinka Social Adaptation Center.
Restore documents and find a job
Helping a person who has found themselves homeless begins with providing shelter and food. After addressing all basic needs, the center will assist them, with their consent, in restoring missing documents, seeking medical care if the case is non-urgent and does not require an ambulance, as well as arranging pensions, resolving legal issues, and finding employment. The process is individual for each person, as are the timelines.
Anyone can find themselves in a difficult situation—not only those leading an antisocial lifestyle, but also workers without official contracts, elderly people who have fallen victim to fraudsters, or individuals with mental particularities. The center offers them safety and care.
Since 2009, mobile teams of the “Social Patrol” service have been operating around the clock in Moscow. They patrol areas where homeless people may be found and respond to calls from residents. The staff provide information about the E.P. Glinka Center, offer accompaniment there, and if necessary, call an ambulance and stay until it arrives. Since December 2023, mobile medical and diagnostic units have also been operating in Moscow — where one can consult a paramedic.
In the cold period, from November to March, mobile warming stations are on duty at the railway station squares of the capital. These are minibuses of the “Social Patrol,” where from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM you can warm up with tea and receive consultation from specialists.
Help a person not to end up on the street
The E.P. Glinka Center is part of the city support system. Within the framework of the “Social Service in Hospitals” project, social coordinators transfer data about patients without relatives and housing to the center, and the employees of the “Social Patrol” meet them from the hospital and take them there — so that the person does not end up on the street and immediately begins to address housing and life arrangement issues.
The center’s lawyers represent their clients’ interests in court, help restore housing rights or challenge transactions made under pressure from fraudsters. For example, Valentina was assisted with obtaining disability status, restoring the inheritance claim period, and returning to her father’s apartment. Georgiy won a court case and received compensation from his brother, who had illegally rented out his room. Natalia, left homeless after her husband’s death, found permanent employment and was able to rent an apartment.
If you see a homeless person in need of assistance, you should call the dispatch service of the E.P. Glinka Center at the phone number: +7 499 357-01-80 or 112.
To find out how the capital has changed in recent years, what initiatives are currently being implemented to make city dwellers’ lives even more comfortable, and what awaits Moscow and its residents in the near future, you can explore the large-scale special project on the portal mos.ru, dedicated to the development of Moscow’s key sectors. These include transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and construction.
On the project page “Social Support and Employment of the Population” you can learn about opportunities for citizens in need of support. The capital provides comprehensive assistance to families in difficult life situations, as well as to people with disabilities and participants in the special military operation. In Moscow longevity centers Regular exercise sessions and yoga classes, lectures, and other events take place. In addition, at the city’s employment service, you can retrain and acquire a new in-demand profession.
Quickly get the main news in the official Moscow city channels on messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.