Mapping trends and policies to tackle homelessness in Europe

PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

PROJECT TEAM AT THE EUROPEAN CENTRE

Magdi Birtha, Michael Fuchs, Ricardo Rodrigues, Cassandra Simmons, Anette Scoppetta, Leonard Geyer, Veronica Sandu

BACKGROUND

The project aimed to provide a comparative assessment of national policies within corresponding social and health systems that are crucial for preventing and addressing homelessness. Focusing on a limited group of European countries and building on a rights-based approach to tackling homelessness, the research looked at the extent to which states are upholding the right to housing and ensure access to affordable housing, social support and health care. Specific attention was paid to policies and services targeting older people, persons with mental health problems and persons with addiction problems.

AIMS

To map policies and legislation, implementing procedures and resources as well as outcomes that are relevant in the context of homelessness
To develop a framework with multiple policy domains and matching indicators that will enable the monitoring and review of countries’ performance in preventing and combating homelessness
To analyse and compare the results for selected European countries
To identify gaps in related policy and data and provide recommendations for EU and national level policy-makers

METHODS

Desk research
Expert and stakeholder consultation

ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES

Review of academic and grey literature and consultation with experts and stakeholders from the areas of homelessness and housing exclusion
Multi-dimensional framework with indicators to assess and monitor policies for a selected group of European countries
Comparative analysis and final report

The European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research supports the Sustainable Development Goals