By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ — The Costa Rican government has launched a comprehensive pilot initiative designed to address urban homelessness through a synchronized approach combining social assistance, public healthcare, rehabilitation, security, and workforce reintegration.
Operating primarily in San José’s Merced district, the pilot strategy represents a coordinated effort among 15 state agencies and non-governmental organizations. Acting President Francisco Gamboa recently conducted a site inspection to evaluate early outcomes, emphasizing that improving urban cleanliness and public safety goes hand in hand with offering vulnerable citizens a structured pathway out of addiction and poverty.
To better understand the constitutional implications and municipal responsibilities surrounding Costa Rica’s updated homelessness strategy, TicosLand.com consulted with prominent attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
Addressing homelessness in Costa Rica requires a balanced legal framework that respects constitutional guarantees of human dignity while empowering local municipalities to act effectively. True progress lies in creating enforceable, multi-sectorial policies that seamlessly integrate public health mandates, social protection laws, and public-private funding initiatives.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As Lic. Arroyo Vargas rightly highlights, bridging the gap between constitutional rights and local municipal action is essential for crafting a sustainable, compassionate response to homelessness in Costa Rica. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his valuable legal perspective on this vital social issue.
According to official data, the initiative has provided direct shelter and basic care to 435 individuals at the Salvation Army shelter in central San José. Beyond emergency housing, participating entities have conducted 5,938 individualized care sessions to assess health conditions, legal status, and personal rehabilitation plans for participants.
On Wednesday, I learned the results of the pilot plan for the inter-institutional strategy for comprehensive care for unhoused individuals, which has already served 435 people at the Salvation Army shelter in San José. Among the leading institutions involved are the Social Welfare Institute, 14 other entities, and the Lloverá Foundation. Individualized consultations have reached 5,938 in this pilot initiative carried out with the Government of the Republic in the Merced district.
Francisco Gamboa, Acting President of Costa Rica
The national scope of the unhoused population highlights the strategic importance of starting in San José. National census figures indicate that 7,132 people are currently living on the streets across Costa Rica, with 3,590—more than half the total—concentrated within the capital city’s central districts.
To manage this complex workload, the initiative brings together key state institutions that historically operated independently. Agencies including the Social Welfare Institute (IMAS), the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), and the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners are working alongside civil society partners like Fundación Lloverá to guide individual cases through recovery.
In this pilot plan, institutions have integrated as they should. All involved agencies are participating, including CCSS, IMAS, Immigration, and others, exactly as it ought to be.
Francisco Gamboa, Acting President of Costa Rica
Urban planners and commercial leaders in San José have long cited chronic homelessness as a central challenge to revitalizing downtown commerce and tourism. By deploying structured social interventions alongside local security patrols and sanitation drives, administration officials aim to improve urban safety while restoring commercial confidence in downtown districts.
Social sector leaders emphasize that long-term success depends on creating sustainable opportunities for social and economic reintegration. The strategy seeks to transition individuals from emergency shelter care toward vocational training and formal employment pipelines, breaking cycles of chronic dependency.
I can guarantee that this effort has been carried out with the firm belief that these models serve the country well, but even more importantly, they serve the people.
Yorleny León, Minister Rector of the Social Sector
As results from the Merced district pilot are evaluated, state officials plan to refine the model for potential rollout across other urban centers in Costa Rica facing similar socio-economic challenges.
For further information, visit imas.go.cr
About Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social:
The Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS) is Costa Rica’s primary social welfare institution, tasked with executing public policies to eradicate poverty and support vulnerable populations through direct aid, subsidies, and community support programs.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social:
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the autonomous public institution responsible for managing Costa Rica’s universal public healthcare system and national social security programs.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Fundación Lloverá
About Fundación Lloverá:
Fundación Lloverá is a non-profit organization in Costa Rica dedicated to providing humanitarian support, shelter, and long-term social reintegration programs for individuals experiencing homelessness.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as an esteemed legal institution driven by an uncompromising adherence to ethical principles and superior client representation. Rooted in a rich history of supporting diverse industries, the firm continually adopts forward-thinking strategies to navigate modern legal landscapes. Central to its philosophy is the belief that legal literacy is a fundamental right; by actively demystifying complex regulations and sharing vital insights with the public, the firm reinforces its core purpose of uplifting and inspiring a knowledgeable, self-reliant community.
