Homelessness Around Us - Public Hidden Potential HOMELESSNESS AROUND US

Homelessness around us - public hidden potential HOMELESSNESS AROUND US

PUBLIC HIDDEN POTENTIAL

RE SEARCH COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT 1 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

HOMELESSNESS AROUND US PUBLIC HIDDEN POTENTIAL

Skopje 2016 2 3 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

Dear Reader,

Published by:Association for Research, Communications and Development – PUBLIC This book is dedicated to the problem of homelessness and as such is a true rarity in About the publisher:Klimentina Ilijevski, Executive Director the existing professional and academic texts in the country. The homelessness is a specific and complex social phenomenon and a process which involves individuals exposed Authors: M.Sc. Klimentina Ilijevski, M.Sc. Katerina Mojančevska, Aleksandra Iloska, Maja Nedelkovska to a multitude of social risks, are marginalized and often live in poverty and social exclu- Academic consultants: Prof. Dr. Maria Donevska, M.Sc. Katerina Mojančevska Associates: M.Sc. Tiana Radeska, Aneta Risteska sion. The specific actions and policies targeting the homeless as a vulnerable category Strategy on Inclusive Communication: Nebojsa Ilijevski of people exceed the national boundaries, while taking into consideration the flexibility Logistic support: Zarmena Božinovska of their profile which has recently expanded to include categories of people such as im- Graphic design: Zoran Inadeski migrants, youngsters and children. Translator: Anica Kozmanovska This book is a rare contribution to the problem of homelessness, particularly as it Print: KONTURA provides insight on: Net press run 100 copies 1) the theoretical and conceptual basis of the analysis on homelessness, as well as Free copy, for non-commercial purposes empirical data on the challenges faced by the homeless people, and 2) a comparative analysis on the homelessness and the respective policies in many European countries, as well as a review of the situation and the relevant measures in the Republic of Macedonia implemented to alleviate the challenges posed by the homelessness at national and local level. This publication has been supported by the American people through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Such dual approach allows the book to help support further exploration of the critical as part of the USAID project on civil society. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of PUBLIC - Agency for debates on homelessness in the Republic of Macedonia, while being a remarkably useful Research, Communication and Development and does not express the views of the USAID or the Government of the United States of America. tool for the creators of the policies and the measures that affect the living conditions of the homeless people. In light of the above, a greater acknowledgment is due to the Association for Re- CIP - Каталогизација во публикација search, Communications and Development – PUBLIC, which, while working on civil so- Национална и универзитетска библиотека “Св. Климент Охридски”, Скопје ciety issues, has decided to focus its research on homelessness. Their initiative is likely 364.2-058.51 to prompt further theoretical and applicable research endeavors by other civil organizations that would ultimately help improve the prospects of dealing with the challenges HOMELESSNESS around us : public, hidden, potential / [authors of homelessness. Klimentina Ilijevski ... [и др.] ; translator Anica Kozmanovska]. - Skopje : Association for research, communications and development Public, 2016. - 111 стр. : илустр. ; 21 см Prof. Dr. Maja Gerovska - Mitev

Превод на делото: Бездомништвото околу нас : јавно, скриено, потенцијално / автори Климентина Илиејвски ...[ и др.]. - Фусноти кон текстот. - Автори: Klimentina Ilijevski, Katerina Mojančevska, Aleksandra Iloska, Maja Nedelkovska. - Библиографија: стр. 108-110

ISBN 978-608-65957-1-5 1. Ilijevski, Klimentina [автор] а) Социјално загрозени лица - Бездомници COBISS.MK-ID 100987914 4 5 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The United Nations Millennium Develop- package for methodological work with these ment Goals, and the new UN Document-Sus- groups – prevention, early intervention, inter- I WHAT IS HOMELESSNESS? SHORT THEORETICAL SUMMARY 8 tainable Development Indicators 2025, have vention in crisis and social integration, as well made the fight against poverty and hunger a as the instrument for measuring the depth II ETHOS – EUROPEAN TYPOLOGY ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION priority task, a significant part of which is the of homelessness. Based on the research, the (European typology on homelessness and housing exclusion) 10 homelessness. web page Homelessness.mk has been devel- The increasing societal inequalities, high oped (bezdomnistvo.mk), which provides an III Key considerations from the comparative analysis on the approach rates of unemployment and social exclusion integrated approach to this phenomenon in to homelessness 13 have contributed to the rise of homelessness Macedonia. on a global level, whereas the ongoing crisis Verification and further elaboration of the IV METHODOLOGY OF THE REASERCH 17 with the emigrants, refugees and the internally research findings were made as part of the displaced persons, pose an additional risk. conference Homelessness Around Us – Public, V BASIC INFORMATION ON SOCIAL PROTECTION IN MACEDONIA RELATED TO The limited concept of homelessness leads Hidden, Potential, which gathered represen- THE TRADITIONAL AND THE CONTEMPORARY CONCEPT ON HOMELESSNESS 21 to a conclusion that the number of homeless tatives of insitutions, NGO sector, informal people in the country is negligent. The home- assosiations, business sector as well as repre- VI RESULTS FROM THE RESEARCH 30 lessness has thus far been largely perceived as sentatives of vulnerable groups, as classifed by 6.1 Overview of the Research 31 public homelessness, comprised mainly of peo- ETHOS. 6.2 Public homelessness 35 ple sleeping on the street. The new definition, The research was conducted throughout a 6.3 Hidden homelessness 41 resulting from this research, includes two new period of 14 months, in a total of 138 research 6.4 Potential homelessness 69 profiles – hidden and potential homelessness units including experts, representatives of the – with nine categories and 15 subcategories. media, the civil sector and homeless people. VII MAIN BENEFITS FROM THE RESEARCH 93 These include people who stay with family or The team of the PUBLIC Research Centre 7.1 Definition + Categorization 94 friends, women in domestic violence shelters, would like to acknowledge the efforts made by 7.2 Measuring of the depth of homelessness 94 people with prolonged stay in institutions due the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in pro- 7.3 Professional guidance for the people working with homeless 97 to absence of home, people with a confiscated viding participation of the institutions in this 7.4 Support system for homeless people 100 mortgaged home, people living in temporary, research, the Social Activities Institute and 7.5 Development of a platform which maries theory and 103 unconventional places, etc. the Institute for Social Work and Social Policy, The research, conducted by PUBLIC Research the Faculty of Philosophy for the provided VIII INITIATIVES FOR SUPPORT OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN MACEDONIA 104 Centre, provides the basis for measuring the academic and professional consultancy, the homelessness in line with the ETHOS typology Red Cross of the City of Skopje which enabled which will enable an appropriate approach to a facilitated access to the vulnerable groups this increasing problem and creation of evi- subject of this research, as well as to the Asso- dence-based policies, built on data comparable ciation of Social Workers of the City of Skopje, not only at European, but at a global level. as the most relevant authority on the issue of A further outcome of the research is the homelessness.

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homelessness (lack of roof over the head). In this case the person reaches for alcohol, The inclusion in the world of homeless people personal hygiene is gradually neglected, and carries along a need for self-defining as a home- the individual is on the lookout for food and less person. other homeless people. Slowly, the homeless The first phase in the new life of public person overcomes the uncertainty and plung- homelessness, in line with the in vivo codes of es into a more inviting world – the one of the I a specific group of homeless persons, may have homeless people. The individual’s initiation into different names. In any case, it is a phase when homelessness is simultaneously the beginning the individual feels lost and is equally unrecog- of the identification with the new social group. nized by his/her closest people and by the other Given the three perspectives, the homeless What is Homelessness? homeless persons. person may be observed as a dysfunctional During this period, the individual is wary of person who loses the social ties and roles and Short theoretical summary being identified with the other homeless peo- is under constant scrutiny by the homeowners. ple. The constant tension induced by the pro- Our research team is strongly opposed to any cess of becoming or not becoming a homeless labeling of homeless people, given that a range person limits the affiliation of the person to a of circumstances have contributed to their specific group. homelessness, and the bias can additionally The phenomenon of homelessness can be Registered examples of homelessness indi- complicate their situation. viewed from three different aspects, either as cate that it can last for more than a decade. a condition of having or not having a home, a limited inclusion in the social life or a process The second aspect points us to observe in which the individual faces identity problems. homelessness as a process in which the social- The first aspect of homelessness denotes ization of the homeless person takes place in absence of housing. A person in such situation a specific manner. The homeless person “falls is typically deprived of the basic human needs, out” of a specific community due to his/her leading to various deviations. constant mobility. The rooflessness or homelessness may be When the person is deprived of the possibility public (sensu stricte) or hidden (sensu largo), to fulfill certain societal roles, he/she loses the where the homeless people are sheltered in ties with the community, resulting in termina- reception centres, shelters, with or without in- tion of the family, neighboring and friendly rela- stitutional support, or with the support of relations. tives and friends. The public (street) homeless- The inability to fulfill certain roles is tied to ness is often a result of potential homelessness the ambiguity in the expectations of the home- which consists of unstable and insecure hous- less persons. The staff in the social welfare ing. The international standards call upon the centres expect them to take an active and com- need of considering the potential homelessness pliant participation in the social life, whereas an integral part of homelessness. others tie the homelessness to passivity and ap- Gradually the homeless people form a partic- athy. A third, slightly different group of expec- ular pattern of behavior, such as inadaptability tations, comprise those of the other homeless to the social situations, and some of them, ex- people, who look at homelessness as an integral acerbated by specific circumstances, reach for part of a symbolic interaction. Therefore, the alcohol and narcotics and take part in criminal homelessness is more of a process rather than activities in order to survive. The result is often a condition. detrimental to their personality and health. The homeless people become immersed in The homelessness may be involuntary, a re- their loneliness, hopelessness and despair. The sult of poverty, unemployment, debts, mort- start of the homelessness is a turning point in gages, and violence, or elective. The latter re- their lives, which leads to insecure and disorga- sembles vagrancy and is a rare phenomenon in nized life. our country. The emotional void exacerbates the actual 8 9 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

Operational category Life situation General definition Life on the street or in public places, People living in difficult

*1.1 In a public space or out in the open without shelter which resembles a foof No conditions residence People who do not have regular place People placed in urgent 2.1 Sleep-over shelters of residence and use the services of the housing II shelters for sleepover 3.1 Hostels for homeless People housed in shelters for *3.2 Temporary housing Short-term stay homeless 3.3 Transition Housing Centres Women, mostly domestic violence victims, housed in shelter-centres ETHOS – EUROPEAN TYPOLOGY ON HOMELESSNESS People housed in shelters for Shelters and reception points for *4.1 intended for short-stay AND HOUSING EXCLUSION women women (European typology on homelessness and housing exclusion) *5.1 *temporary housing / shelter centres Immigrants in shelters and in centres for People placed in housing short-term housing due to their

intended for immigrants 5.2 Housing for workers – immigrants No home immigrant status *Correctional and penitentiary No available home prior to leaving the *6.1 institutions institution People soon to be released *Health care institutions (including Stays longer in the institution due to from prison, from health care *6.2 centres for rehabilitation of addicts, absence of home or other institutions psychiatric hospitals) No identified home (ex. until the 18th *6.3 *Institutions for children / homes birthday) Residential housing of elderly 7.1 Longer-term housing with care for former People receiving long-term homeless people homeless people (usually for a time The homelessness is one of the main societal problems dealt with by the Strategy for Social support due to homelessness Supported housing of former homeless 7.2 period longer than one year) Protection and EU Accession. Prevention of homelessness and resolution of the housing issues people Life in conventional residence, which is requires understanding of the way and the process which leads to homelessness, thus creating wide Temporary housing with relatives and *8.1 not a regular place of residence and is perception on the meaning of homelessness. close friends used due to absence of personal home People living in insecure FEANTSA (European Association of Organizations Working with Homeless People) has developed Usurpation of housing (no legal Precarious housing housing *8.2 No (sub) lease agreement a typology on homelessness and housing exclusion under the name of ETHOS. documentation for lease) ETHOS starts with the conceptual framework which defines the three segments of housing. The Usurpation of land (no documents for *8.3 Usurped land absence of any of these segments will indicate homelessness. ownership) Legal decision for eviction (rented Having a home means: possession of an appropriate space which is exclusively owned by the per- *9.1 Eviction decision is in effect son and his /her family (PHYSICAL DOMAIN). The space should offer a possibility for maintenance People living under threat of residence) eviction Creditor possesses legal decision to *9.2 Repossession of mortgaged home of privacy and social relations (SOCIAL DOMAIN) and there should be a legal right for the use of the takeover ownership space (LEGAL DOMAIN). People living under threat of Police acts to secure safe harbor for the *10.1 Incidents registered by the police This leads to four different basic forms or concepts: 1.without roof, 2.without a home, 3. insecure violence domestic violence victim Life in temporary home with no housing, 4. inappropriate housing. Each of these may be described as a lack of home. 11.1 Mobile homes ETHOS classifies the persons without a home based on their life situation or housing situation. People living in temporary, conditions for regular housing Inadequate housing unconventional residences *11.2 Unconventional objects Shelter or substandard cabin These conceptual categories are divided in 13 operational categories, which may be used for *11.3 Temporary structures Tent or cabin defining different goals for the policy as marking the problem with homelessness, development, People living in uninhabitable Defined as inappropriate housing 12.1 Usurpation of an uninhabitable object monitoring and evaluation of the policy. residential conditions according to national housing legislation In case when the national norm for the People living in overcrowded According to the highest norm for over 13.1 number of people living in one room is home crowdedness at national level surpassed

- IN MACEDONIA THE CATEGORIES ARE MARKED WITH ASTERISK (*) 10 11 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

ethos in macedonian context

The ETHOS typology has been adapted to the Mace- III donian legislation and to its institutional structure and as such excludes the following subcategories of people: those sheltered in urgent housing, overnight centers (2.1), Key considerations from the people placed in hostels for homeless (3.1), people placed in transition centres for homeless (3.3), people housed in comparative analysis on the shelters for workers-emigrants (5.2), people with long-term housing support due to homelessness – residential housing approach to homelessness and supported housing (7.1 and 7.2). The adaptation has been made due to the inexistence of housing options and services for these categories of people in the Law on Social Protection. The subcategory 11.1 (people living in mobile homes) is (Denmark, Finland, Holland, Scotland, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Germany, also not considered, due to absence of such homes in the country. Serbia, and Slovenia) The operational categories of people living in inappropriate housing (12.1) and people living in overcrowded home (13.1) have also been excluded given that ETHOS general definitions require the existence of domestic legal definition of inappropriate housing and standards of what constitutes an overcrowded home. The Macedonian legislation does not distinguish such definitions. The Macedo- nian National Housing Strategy (2007-2012) uses the terms appropriate and minimal housing, although these are not clearly defined. The Strategy makes use of the term appropriate housing which serves to denote housing widely accepted by the society as satisfactory i.e. housing standard which the society is aiming for in the future. A clear definition of standardized housing, accepted by the society, is not provided. The term minimal housing is more restrictive with regard to the required level of housing standards which the society considers minimal and it entails the required material and legal housing standards to meet the minimal basic needs of the beneficiaries. There is also no clear definition of the material and legal standards provided.

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1. All of the above countries, except Serbia use 4.Number of homeless people proach. For instance, in North Rhine-Westpha- a wider definition on homelessness To approximately establish the number of lia, the most populated region in Germany, a Housing first is a model developed in the Homeless are considered the individuals homeless people, a distinction would need to regional action plan on homeless people has United States of America, which provides the who lack permanent residential address where be made between homelessness in a broader been developed. In Austria, there is no nation- homeless people with access to independent 3 housing, supported also by a permanent mobile they can be contacted, including the people and homelessness in a more restricted con- al strategy on homelessness , however Vienna who live on the street, in shelters or in recep- (where most of the homeless have been identi- network provided in their homes. The effective- text. Generally, the approach to measuring ness of this approach in terms of provision of tion centres, people who need to be released homelessness varies from one country to an- fied) has passed an integrated programme on stable housing, health care and the drug abuse from institutions and prisons within three other depending on the respective homeless homelessness, known as Viennese Programme prevention is assessed very positively. months who lack a permanent place of resi- population. In the countries with highly de- for Integration of Homeless People, which In the international discourse “Housing first” dence, as well as people who live in insecure veloped evidence-based policies on homeless- provides a thorough analysis of the preven- is considered an alternative to the generally and unsafe housing, including the accommo- ness2 the data is gathered based on: tion, accommodation and reintegration of the accepted “scaled” model in which the transi- dation with friends or relatives. 1. Polls (counting of homeless people sleep- homeless. Despite having no specific strate- tion from the urgent shelters toward a more ing on the street): national counting (or count- gic document in addition to the legal frame- transitory housing, prior to securing permanent housing, is carried out step by step. A home 2. Underlying reasons of the problem: ing in cities with predominant homelessness); work, Scotland has developed an integrated, ambitious policy, with clear goals, effective first represents a change of paradigms, where а) structural, related to transition from so- 2. Registries: service providers, municipali- the independent housing is the first step, and cialist to capitalist system (Croatia, Serbia and ties or NGOs; participation of the stakeholders, allocation not the last Slovenia) 3. Census of the population and living condi- of appropriate resources and monitoring and b) classic, categorized in the following man- tions. evaluation system. An important aspect of ner: In less developed countries such as Serbia, the policy on homelessness in Scotland is the part of the Europe 2020 Programme is the pro- - societal (poverty, unemployment, domestic Croatia and Slovenia, the measuring of home- clear commitment of the Government towards gramme European Platform of Cooperation in violence, conflicts, interaction problems), lessness is based on the data acquired by the eradicating the phenomenon. This commit- the Fight with Poverty and Social Exclusion - institutional (leaving the institutions, ab- respective services. ment is one of the 45 national results to be (EPAP), which partly focuses on homelessness. sence of guaranteed housing policy) accomplished by each successive government. For a longer time now there is a global on- - individual reasons (addictions, mental dis- 5.Location of living In Italy, the new efforts of the central aim at going discussion on the need of redefining order). - Approximately 80 percent of the homeless development of a strategy for addressing the the social policy towards homelessness. From live alone (it refers to people who reside out- issue of homelessness, as well as promotion of legal regulation and addressing homelessness 3. Demographic characteristics and profile of side of institutions); a housing policy. No strategies exist in Croatia (managing homelessness) to solution of the homeless people - homeless people, predomi- - Large cities are the places most frequented ,and Serbia for addressing the issue of home- problem (ending homelessness). nately men (approximately 80 percent); by homeless people; lessness. 7.Civil society participation in the resolu- - predominately between 40 to 60 years of - Approximately 60 percent of the homeless The system housing first is the most popular tion of the problem of homelessness age1; reside in different institutions. The others live proposal for addressing the issue of homeless- The participation of the non-governmental - The bulk of the homeless people are single; in railway stations, basements, wagons, gar- ness in the majority of the countries: Den- sector in managing homelessness may be as- - The bulk of the homeless in developed dens, etc. mark, Finland, Holland, Italy, Austria, Scotland sessed very highly. In most of the analyzed countries are foreigners; and Germany, whereas currently underway in countries, special groups have been formed, - The bulk of the homeless have completed 6. Sources of income Croatia is the implementation of the first proj- mostly federations, for provision of support to primary education; • Main source of income of the homeless is ect of this type. Despite the fact that “a home the homeless people. - The homeless are often professionally pas- the social welfare, unemployment benefits and first” is not a widely accepted approach in Slo- sive, undertaking occasional work under no sick leave, and pension or salary. venia and little if any attention is dedicated 8. Research on homelessness employment contract; to the permanent housing, still in Ljubljana a Throughout Europe the research on home- programme is developed which is focused on -In developed countries the homeless are 7. Policy on homelessness lessness mostly focuses on the process of en- transitory housing. In Serbia this approach has younger and stay in homelessness for a shorter In three of the analyzed countries (Finland, tering into homelessness as well as the under- yet not been accepted. period of time. Denmark and Holland) there are national strat- lying reasons of homelessness. There are very In December 2010, the European Parliament egies on homelessness. Germany, Austria and few analysis which deal with measuring the has supported activities as regards homeless- Scotland have developed a decentralized ap- outcomes of a certain solution, monitoring ness with its Declaration 61/2010. An integral and evaluation process.

1 However, most of the countries, in recent years, mark an increasing trend of young homeless persons. 2 Denmark, Finland, England, Holland, Italy, Germany and Austria 3 FEANTSA Country Fiche - Austria

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Methodology of the Research

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This research deals with the issue of home- Defining an instrument for measuring the Techniques held with representatives of the respective lessness in Macedonia, particularly with the gravity of the homelessness and categoriza- 1.Analysis of Documents ministries, local self-government, social wel- identification of its specific features: definition of the homeless for continued monitoring Comparative analysis of the countries in fare centres and the socially-engaged NGO tion, profiles, measuring, and remediation of the phenomenon, in line with the EU stan- the region and Europe, their legislative frame- sector. The focus group discussions were car- policy. dards and based on the ETHOS; work, national strategies and action plans. ried along the following items: definition on The reasons and the conditions for home- Identification of the elements of the sys- homelessness; causes; demographic charac- lessness, although essential, are not the prima- tematic approach to defining the homeless- 2. Expert interviews with representatives of teristics and profiles of the homeless; number ry goal of this study. The most recent exten- ness problem in Macedonia; academic institutions, governmental social in- of homeless people; place of their residence; sive research on street children and indirect Development of the first homelessness stitutions, local self-government and the non- respective public policy; participation of the homeless people in Macedonia was conducted web page in Macedonia; governmental sector. Interviews with experts civil society in addressing the issue. by ZSD in 20014 In 2004, the Law on Social Monitoring and evaluation of the policy on focused on defining homelessness, its causes Protection has identified the homeless people homelessness in Macedonia. and respective coping strategies. Initial Presumptions as a marginal group. The homelessness is more of a process, This study comprises two parts: The first Additional Goal 3. Semi-structured interviews with repre- rather than a static phenomenon part provides descrption of the experiences Developed module on homelessness, to sentatives of socially-engaged NGOs, dealing The homelessness is analyzed from three related to homlesness from 11 countries in serve as a matrix for training of social welfare with ETHOS operational categories, explor- aspects: the region and Europe, inluding Macedonia. A staff. ing whether the users of their services have People with or without housing, detailed review has been made of the legisla- housing problems and the type of assistance People with limited inclusion in the social tion, the existing literature, national strategies Sample offered to these groups. life and and action plans. The selected countries show As mentioned, the representative sample People with identity problems varying trends of homelessness and have been comprises two groups: 4. Structured interviews with homeless There are three types of homelessness in selected according to the growth of the phe- Primary – interviews with 65 homeless peo- people (quasi Case Study) for the development Macedonia: public (no roof), hidden (no home) nomenon – countries with a decline in home- ple, conducted from August to February 2015. of homeless profiles in Macedonia (ETHOS). and potential homelessness (insecure and in- lessness, countries with a surge in homeless- The interviews were conducted at the Momin This is the most extensive and important tech- appropriate housing). ness and countries with steady homelessness. Potok centre for homeless, in the premises of nique in this research. The interviews were The evidenced instances of family home- The empirical part of the research is pri- Public Research Centre, in other associations conducted with the following profiles of homelessness are fairly complex and require addi- marily based on the qualitative approach. The working with people targeted by ETHOS and less people: tional research. main empirical mass consists of two groups: in other institutions housing homeless people. Men comprise the bulk of the public - primary - comprising homeless people A small percentage of the interviews were 1. NO ROOF, i.e. PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS homelessness based on the ETHOS - European Typology of conducted by telephone, with the support of 2. NO HOUSE, i.e. HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS The current attempts for addressing the Homelessness and Housing Exclusion), a tool citizens, in order to protect the identity of the 3.INSECURE AND INADEQUATE HOUSING, issue are exceptionally curative developed by the European Federation of Na- people. i.e. POTENTIAL HOMELESSNESS The socially-driven NGOs catering to tional Organizations working with the Home- Secondary - people directly or indirectly homeless people mostly offer services of psy- less (FEANTSA) and by the European Observa- linked to the problem, of which 16 experts, 57 The questionnaire is designed to prompt cho-social and existential nature tory on Homelessness aimed at transnational academics, as well as representatives of the self-evaluation and self-perception of the The homelessness is in close correlation use; local self-government, social institutions, and homeless and is custom made for the purposes with the poverty - secondary - representatives of governmen- the civil sector. of this research. The public perception of the homeless is tal social institutions, local self-government, In the analysis of the answers, the focus was mostly discriminatory nongovernmental sector as well as representa- Method placed on the focus group needs, their treat- Securing housing, employment and health tives of the police and academic institutions. From a methodological point of view this ment by the community and the institutions, and psychological counseling are the most analysis is aimed at assessing the social impact the effects of homelessness on their physical burning issues for this target group Goals (impact factor) which serves to describe the and mental health, their social relations with There is a need of a specific reception cen- Formulation of the first definition on current situation with the provided care and the families, friends and other homeless peo- tre, to provide further treatment of the home- homelessness in Macedonia, according to the promotes positive societal change in Macedo- ple, the reasons for the homelessness, as well less people. ETHOS conceptual frame; nia on the issue of homelessness. as the vision for the future and the personal Aggravating risk factors: stance on how to overcome homelessness. - diseases, illiteracy, lack of information on how to exercise the rights of social protection, 4 Stojanovski N. Darkovski, D.Petrova, D. Dzevlekov, 3001, ZSD Field Research for children on the street/street Children 5. Discussions in the four focus groups were low qualification, disability, insecure or inap- 18 19 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

propriate housing, domestic violence, refugee health or other institutions, without available status, lack of citizenship, inaccessibility to housing. the institutions of the system. 3.The potential homelessness includes people with insecure housing (provided by Terminology relatives, friends, in usurped residence or in a V home built on usurped land), people under the Definitions of Homelessness Profiles threat of eviction (due to mortgage or unsettled debt in rented housing facilities, people Profile А under the threat of violence and people with Basic information on social Grouping of homeless people, based on their temporary, non-conventional housing. protection in Macedonia related similar characteristics and other features. Curative programmes – comprise the sec- to the traditional and the Profile B, according to the main indicator of ondary or tertiary prevention, i.e. are imple- homelessness – housing mented in a situation when the problem is contemporary concept on 1.The public homelessness encompasses already existent. roofless people, without any housing support. Substandard housing includes absence of homelessness 2.The hidden homelessness includes people public utilities such as electricity, waterworks with or without institutional support, which and sewerage, as well as substandard and inse- they are expected to leave within a given pe- cure building construction. riod of time (women sheltered in domestic The preventive measures on the homeless violence centres, emigrants housed in centres/ labor market include seasonal or temporary reception points/public housing for emigrants, work (in line with the welfare-to-work concept). people due to be released from penitentiary,

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The Social Protection System are identified as follows: health risks (disease, line with the National Programme11. The mu- on the social protection rights, and on matters In the first few years of the independence of injury, mental disabilities); aging risks; risks nicipalities enable exercising of the social pro- governed by the family-related legislation. Republic of Macedonia, the social protection of the families with children; unemployment tection of the following at-risk groups: people system was focused on the social rights (ben- risks, loss of employment-based income; risks with disabilities, children without parents and The traditional concept efits) and services provided to the citizens. It of poverty and other risks related to social in- children without parental care, children with of homelessness has since continually developed to ensure clusion. mental and physical disabilities, children on The traditional concept of homelessness en- compliance with European legislation5. The The Government of Republic of Macedonia the street, children with pedagogic and social compasses people living on the street or peo- intensity of the changes of the system is also adopts a National Programme for Develop- problems, children with single-parent families, ple with temporary accommodation in home- seen through the fact that as of 2009 the Law ment of the Social Protection, which sets forth people at social risk, abusers of drugs and oth- less shelters. The work of the social welfare on Social Protection has been supplemented the goals, the priorities and the future direc- er psychotropic substances, precursors and centres and other institutions in Macedonia and amended 15 times. The Republic of Mace- tions of the social protection development alcohol, victims of family violence and human focuses on this limited category of marginal- donia fosters an EU aspiration, but at the same for the citizens in the RM, along with the mea- trafficking, and elderly people without domes- ized people. time, it has an economy which is closer to the sures of active social policy, at the mid - and tic care. The professional work of the centres, with developing countries, which are character- the long term. Furthermore, the Government The respective institution in charge of con- the homeless as a special marginalized and ized with simpler systems for social protection adopts an annual programme for implemen- ducting studies on the social phenomena and socially excluded group, starts with the de- compared to the EU countries. Macedonia has tation of the social protection rights, which problems as well as advancement of the social- tection of the case, opening up a file for the a lower income per capita and a much higher establishes the areas of social protection, the ly-related activities is the Institute for Social beneficiary and establishing his/her identity. unemployment. These are factors which limit needs of the population, the social prevention Activities12, which conducts oversight over the This is implemented through inspection in the the potential, the funds and the schemes for and the manner and the means for its imple- professional work of the institutions for social personal documentation of the person. Often, social protection, which makes Macedonia a mentation9. protection, as well as over other legal entities these people have incomplete personal docu- very specific case in Europe6. Beneficiaries of social protection in Mace- and individuals, active in the areas of social ments or have none whatsoever. This requires In Macedonia, the social protection is de- donia are the Republic, the municipalities, the protection. For implementation of the system parallel work on two levels: securing personal fined as an activity of public interest7. Accord- City of Skopje and municipalities in the city of social protection, institutions for social pro- documentation, in cooperation with the Inte- ing to the Constitution, the state provides of Skopje10, whereas the central institution, tection are being formed (centres for social rior Ministry, and meeting the various needs of social protection to the citizens, in line with in charge of policy development, strategic work – CSW and social institutions for non- the beneficiary, such as: accommodation in a the principle of social justice8. According to planning, administration, as well as oversight institutional and institutional protection). The health care institution and providing urgent the Law on Social Protection, the social pro- over the implementation of the social pro- network of public institutions for social pro- medical care; accommodation in an institu- tection is a system of measures, activities and tection laws, is the Ministry of Labour and tection comprises 27 inter-municipal centres tion for elderly people and an institution for policies for prevention and combating the so- Social Policy. According to the Law on Social for social work, three municipal centres (CSR), elderly people with disabilities; accommoda- cial risks of the citizens, thus reducing the pov- Protection, the municipalities are in charge 11 institutions for social protection and 33 tion in an institution for elderly people with erty and the social exclusion and strengthen- of implementation of the social protection, centres for daily and temporary housing of the moderate and severe disabilities in the mental ing their capacity for protection. The Law also and adoption of programmes for the needs of beneficiaries. The social welfare centres, form and the physical development; and accommo- provides a definition of thesocial risks which the citizens in the area of social protection, in part of the Sector for Social Protection within dation in a homeless centre. the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. In line The Law on Social Protection prescribes with the law, the Social Welfare Centre oper- non-institutional protection for the homeless 5 Coffey International Development. 2011. Administering and financing of social services in Southeast Europe: case ates as a professional institution with public people in Macedonia, i.e. centres are created of Macedonia. Kosovo. Available at: http://www.cea.org.mk/documents/111201_rregullimi_qeverisjes_financimit_ competencies in the sphere of social protec- for the homeless and day -centres for street 13 maqedonise_en.pdf (Accessed on: 22.04.2015) tion . The Social Welfare Centre carries out children – children on the street. In line with the following public competencies14: decides the Law on Social Protection, the right to 6 Dimitrioska, С. (2011). Study on „National programmes and benefits in the scope of the system for social protection in Republic of Macedonia, Skopje.

11 7 Article 5, Law on Social Protection. Official Gazette of РМ, no. 79 as of 24 June 2009 Article 11, Law on Social Protection, Official Gazette of RM, no. 79, од 24.6.2009

12 8 Article 35, Constitution of Republic of Macedonia Член 129

13 9 Article 4, Law on Social Protection, Official Gazette of RM, no. 79, 24.6.2009 Article 133

14 10 Article 3, Law on Social Protection, Official Gazette of RM, no. 79, од 24.6.2009 Article 134 22 23 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

accommodation into a day-centre, among (people living in insecure and inappropriate the category of social housing and has intro- The minimal housing category is more re- others, is also provided to the homeless. In housing). duced a new housing system as an economic strictive in the determination of the level of Macedonia the homeless are mentioned in Given that we are strong proponents of category. The legislative housing framework in standards defined by the society as the lowest strategies and documents which refer to social the implementation of this wider concept of Macedonia recognizes six categories of people level of housing standards and it encompasses protection, but there is no specific document homelessness in the country, we provide the without housing as potential beneficiaries of the minimal physical and legal housing stan- to govern the issue. People sheltered in the following analysis of the housing in Macedonia the social housing: children without parents or dards for the beneficiaries. centre for homeless have no right to use so- and the related legislation. parental care; beneficiaries of social and regu- One of the strategic goals of the National cial financial benefits. The homeless person is lar financial support; people struck by elemen- Strategy on Reducing Poverty and Social Ex- expected to stay in the centre for six months, Housing in Macedonia tary–natural disasters; people with disabilities clusion (2010-2020) is the achievement of with the possibility of extension to another six Housing exclusion is a complex phenome- and people in need of assistance and care by standardized and harmonic housing for the months. During the stay, the Social Welfare non which is closely tied to the other forms of other people; socially endangered Roma com- categories of citizens which face housing ex- Centre undertakes activities to facilitate the social marginalization. The housing problems munity members, and single mothers with un- clusion: children without parents or parental integration in the social environment follow- are the main causes of social exclusion, mostly derage children19. care, beneficiaries of social and regular fi- ing departure of the centre. The Institute for manifested through homelessness, unfavor- According to data of the National Housing nancial support, people with disabilities and Social Activities in Macedonia has developed able and inappropriate living conditions, but Strategy (2007-2012), the Republic of Macedo- people in need of assistance and care by other a thorough review of methods and techniques also living in poverty zones16. The three basic nia has a surplus of residential space of some people, socially endangered Roma community of all profiles of staff employed in the centre obstacles to decent housing - economic, cul- 130.000 residential units, which indicates that members20 and single mothers with underage (social worker, psychologist, lawyer, and sociol- tural and legal – are in strong correlation with many families own more than one apartment, children. This strategic goal envisages the ogist) for work with homeless people15. Also, a the people facing social exclusion, as well as whereas a large number of “homeless families“ achievement of the following results: small partnership network for in the work with with scarcity of the residential locations due have settled in rural areas, in residential facili- the homeless has been presented at the level to specific societal circumstances. It is mostly ties or weekend-houses, deserted as a result 1. Reduced degree of substandard housing of the local community (police, health care manifested as substandard or poor housing, in- of the increased migration to the urban areas. conditions expressed through lack of commu- institutions, NGO sector, media and citizens). cluding lack of access to financial resources for The state of these rural residential facilities nal sockets and other infrastructure or inse- improvement of the housing conditions or as a is predominantly poor, i.e. there are no basic cure construction of poor quality; The wider concept of homelessness legal uncertainty, mostly related to the large living conditions (electricity, water, sewerage, 2. Reduced degree of overcrowded homes, The contemporary concept of homelessness number of illegal constructions in the coun- roads, schools, ambulances, postal offices, expressed in under-average usable residential is presented by ETHOS (European Typology on try17. Having a home may be understood as organized traffic). There are areas with solid area per family member; Homelessness and Housing Exclusion), a tool having appropriate housing (or a space) where infrastructure, however primarily used as rec- 3. Eradicated spatial segregation of ethnic developed by FEANTSA and the European Ob- the individual and his/her family have property reational settlements. and other types of communities as a result of servatory on Homelessness), and is aimed at rights (physical domain), which enables them The Strategy uses the terms appropriate the existent cultural and social matrixes; international use. According to ETHOS, home- to preserve their privacy and relations (social and minimal housing, however these are not 4. Reduced risk of loss of the tenancy status lessness is treated in a wider context which domain) and have ownership of the home (le- clearly defined. The term appropriate hous- due to legal insecurity as a result of a change includes the hidden homelessness (people gal domain18). ing seeks to denote standardized housing, one or consistent implementation of the legisla- without a home: women placed in shelters, The transition processes in the Republic that is accepted by the societal norms as such, tion in the field of construction and spatial people placed in shelters for emigrants, peo- of Macedonia have prompted changes in the i.e. general housing standards of the society. and urban planning. ple soon to be released from prison or other housing sphere as well. The 1998 Housing Law The definition of this category does not refer However, of note is that the part of the Na- institutions), as well as potential homelessness (Official Gazette of RM no.21), has abolished only to the residential premises and its refur- tional Strategy which focuses on social protec- bishment, but also to legal housing issues. A tion, which calls on to the creation of a social precise definition of this category is essential protection system for the poorest citizens, as to the governing of the subject-matter with well as providing access to non-institutional 15 ZSD, Professional and Methodological Instructions and Manuals, Book 1,Skopje 2007 p. 26-28 regulation related to construction of new resi- and institutional forms of protection and ca- dential buildings (construction, maintenance pacity building of the social protection system, 16 Spicker, P. Housing and social exclusion. Scotland.University Dundee and use). focuses on the elderly people, children without

17 Kostov, З. (2010). Skopje. Definition, characterization, classification and indicators of social exclusion in the housing in Macedonia. Magazine on social politics, 3 No. 6, pg. 511 - 590, 19 Official Gazette of Republic of Macedonia, 2009: 4)

18 Edgar and others (2004, p. 5), Development of operational definition for homelessness. (2004). Third statistical review of 20 Along with the poor, the social group where the worst examples of substandard living are registered in Macedonia is the homelessness in Europe (p.5). Available at: Roma ethnic community 24 25 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

parents and parental care and victims of do- As regards access to bath tub or in- holds (Center for Regional Policy Research Two-thirds of the inhabitants have de- 24 mestic violence, whereas the homeless people door toilet, in 2012, 90,4 percent of the and Cooperation, 2004 ), but it is a common clared to feel safe from moving, although are not singled out as a specific category. total number of households have had knowledge that the number of the settlements many have no papers with which to prove resi- In the Poverty Reduction Strategy in Repub- access to shower or bath tub, i.e. 95,5 and families living in substandard conditions is dential ownership; 25 lic of Macedonia, as part of overcoming the percent of the urban households and much higher (Kostov, 2010) . The bulk of the inhabitants have declared problem of poverty in substandard conditions, 82,4 percent of the rural households, Given that the last census of the population that they pay property tax and communal ser- the following measures have been established: whereas 86,9 percent of the total num- has identified a total of 564.296 households vices bills; finalization of the infrastructure (traffic and ber of households had access to in-door (with 3,58 average number of members) it would The physical conditions of their housing communal) in unplanned settlements, provi- toilet, i.e. 94,3 percent of the urban mean that in 2012, a total of 79.565 households are often inappropriate (unstable materials, sion of urban services and legalization of eli- households and 75,3 percent of the ru- have had problems with leaking roof, damp lack of water protection, or dangerous loca- gible objects. ral households. walls, foundations, broken and rotten windows, tions), particularly in Skopje; Therefore, the meeting of the minimal spa- a total of 54.174 households had no access to The most serious problems with the resi- tial conditions, refurbishment of the apart- bath tub or shower, and a total of 73.923 house- dential infrastructure were lack of sanitary ment with basic communal infrastructure the population located in Skopje. holds had no access to in-door toilet. drainage of sewage and insufficient collection (electricity, water, sewerage) and traffic con- In accordance with the State Statistical The 2006 World Bank Report26, Question of the solid waste. The access to water, sewer- nectivity between the home, the settlement Office, in Macedonia in 201222, 14,1 percent related to the urban and municipal develop- age and to collection of solid waste were the and the city – as well as the legal ownership of of the households had problems with leaking ment, Note on Policies27, has identified sub- best in Skopje, and the worst in Kumanovo the home or tenancy rights comprise the basic roof, damp walls, foundations, broken and standard settlements (SS) in 14 largest cities (second largest city in Macedonia). minimal preconditions for humane living. rotten windows, whereas the percentage of in Macedonia, and the following conclusions According to data of the State Statistical In 2007, the Action Plan for implementa- families facing this problem is higher in the have been drawn: Office, during 2013, on the territory of Repub- tion of the Strategy for Housing in Republic urban environment (16,3 percent) compared The socio-economic characteristics of the lic of Macedonia 1.275 illegally built objects of Macedonia (2007-2012) envisaged the adop- to the rural areas (12,8 percent). This percent- inhabitants include high rates of unemploy- have been registered, of which, 247 housing tion of the Law on Social Housing, before age has diminished significantly compared to ment, instability of income and dependency facilities28 (19,4 percent). In the sphere of legal September 2008, to regulate the social hous- 2010, when 25, 1 percent of the total number on informal activities. The largest substandard uncertainty, which also implies social housing ing and the exercising of the right to social of households declared that they face this settlements are mainly inhabited by e-Alabam- exclusion, it is estimated that in Macedonia housing of the vulnerable groups. This Law has problem. ians and e-Roma households; there are some 40.000 illegally built housing not yet been adopted, however the Strategy The average housing area in Macedonia is Not more than 40 percent of the inhabit- facilities, of which some 80 percent in the sub- conceptually does not foresee new orienta- 71m2, i.e. on average 21m2 per family member, ants have stated to have moved away from the urban areas in the capital City of Skopje. tion and structural reforms towards securing however there is no data available about the av- rural areas; systemic mechanisms that would enhance the erage number of inhabitants living in one home. social housing funds in Macedonia21. In the country, a large number of families live The draft-programmes of the City of Skopje in the home of the parents, and there is an in- envisage support to the activities of the Red creasing number of homes where more genera- 24 Cross Homeless Reception Point of the City of tions live together (Center for Regional Policy Regional Policy Research and Cooperation Centre (2004), Report on Poverty Housing in Macedonia, Skopje. (p.14) Skopje for its activities in the area of social, Research and Cooperation, 200423). 25 children’s and health care. The assessments point out that in Macedo- Kostov, З (2010), Skopje, Definition, characterization, classifications and indicators of social housing exclusion in nia there are some 100 substandard settle- Macedonia, Social Policy Revision, 3 No. 6 p. 511 - 590 Problems with housing ments, with some 274.000 inhabitants (World 26 According to the last census, there are a Bank, 2005: 46). The official assessment is that The World Bank has sponsored a survey with a questionnaire of 14 largest cities in March 2004, which focused on the total of 564.296 households, or 698.143 apart- the substandard households in Macedonia make degree of coverage and shortcomings with the services of water supply, collection and drainage of sewage, solid waste ments (all types of residences), with the bulk of up 12 percent of the total number of house- management, and household energy. This survey was used for identification of the basic conditions and the degree of substandard settlements, which represented, on average, 11 percent of the number of the population in the surveyed cities. 21 Dimitrioska, С. (2011). Study on „National programmes and benefits in the framework of the system of social protection in Republic of Macedonia, Skopje 27 World Bank. (2006), Questions related to the urban and municipal development, Note on Policies: Report no: 37278-MK. Available at: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/2007/08/08/000310607_2007080815204 22 State Statistical Office (2015), Survey on Income and Living Conditions, 2012, Skopje 2/Rendered/PDF/372780MACEDONI1Policy0Note01PUBLIC1.pdf (Accessed on: 29.4.2015)

23 Regional Policy Research and Cooperation Centre (2004), Report on Poverty Housing in Macedonia, Skopje, (p.11) 28 According to its use, the housing facilities may be residential, business-residential and recreational 26 27 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

Beneficiaries of social services families have sanitary knot in the yard (outdoor cess of decentralization. Through this law, the grammes, in cooperation with the public sec- – potential homeless people toilet), and 58 percent use an outdoor water municipality, in line with the economic politics tor, private sector and the NGOs. In line with According to 2013 data of the State Statis- tap. Ten percent of the Roma population have of the country, is financed, among other, by the Law on Local Self-Governance, the munici- tical Office29, a total of 106 homeless people no water supply for drinking and daily hygiene. own sources of income36. The local self-gover- palities and the City of Skopje, among others, have used social protection rights and servic- It is estimated that some 50 percent of these nance units are the main carriers of the social are in charge of provision of social protection es, with the bulk of them at the age between families have no appropriate sewerage in their rotection and are responsible for the creation and care of children on the street, the people 26 to 45, or 44 people in total, and 29 people homes31. of public institutions for social protection, de- exposed at social risk; people concerned with at the age between 22 and 25. velopment of non-institutional forms of social abuse of drugs and alcohol and housing of According to data of the Red Cross of the Other related laws protection and implementation of social pro- people at social risk. City of Skopje in Macedonia there are 318 The Law on Housing, in line with the Law on homeless people, but the actual number is Social Protection, stipulates that a minimum considered to be much higher due to the per- of 25 percent of the total funds for construc- sistent high level of poverty (30,4 percent in tion and maintenance of residential buildings 2011 and 30,9 percent in 2010, according to and apartments, in state ownership, be intend- SSO30), high unemployment, aging od popula- ed for socially endangered people – with no tion, domestic violence, and finance-driven residence32. The authorization to lease these divorces. apartments to socially endangered people – Following statistical data and data from the with no residence, lies with the Government33. 2002 census of the population in Macedonia, Law on Indebting of Republic of Macedonia the bulk of the most socially-disadvantaged with the Council of Europe’s Development part of the population, the e-Roma (some 45 Bank, upon the loan agreement on the proj- percent have registered their residence) re- ect for construction of apartments for rent to sides only in 10 municipalities: Bitola, Vinica, people with low income which envisaged con- Gostivar, Debar, Kumanovo, Kicevo, Kocani, struction of apartments to be rented to low- Prilep, Tetovo and Stip. The Roma families income people, which envisaged a 15 million often live in substandard housing conditions, euro loan for the implementation of part of with no appropriate drinking water supply and the Programme of The Government of Repub- sanitaria. The homes of the Roma families are lic of Macedonia for construction of 10.000 small, designed to meet the basic needs, with social apartments, to be rented to low-income a living space of less than five square meters citizens and the young married couples34. per family member, with more than 50 percent The Law on Local Self-Governance35 is the of the population. An entire 77 percent of the basic legal teamwork which governs the pro-

29 Social protection of children, youth and adults; 2013-2014, Skopje, State Statistical Office

30 State Statistical Office

31 Roma Community in Republic of Macedonia – Housing and Health Care - Situation and Challenges (2006), Skopje Moon - Humanitarian and Charity Association

32 Article 30

33 Article 34

34 Article 2

36 35 Official Gazette of RM no. 5/2002 Article 11 of the Law on Self-Governance Official Gazette of RM, no. 5/2002. 28 29 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

6.1 VI Overview of the Research (lessons learned) The research on homelessness in the Repub- priate conditions, on the benches, in a desert- RESULTS FROM THE RESEARCH lic of Macedonia was based on the qualitative ed building/house, hovels, garages, or public and the quantitative approach. In addition to transport centres. These are the people who desktop research of the comparative analysis come to mind when first mentioning the term of the situation in a number of European coun- homeless person. tries, the situation in Macedonia was explored b) Families living in inappropriate, impro- via interviews with experts and representa- vised or substandard housing (no water, elec- tives of socially-engaged NGOs as well as focus tricity, toilet, kitchen), experiencing health- group discussions. related, financial and social problems; For the primary group of homeless people c) People/families without permanent place (in line with ETHOS), the structured interview of residence who often face the risk of becom- technique was applied (quasi case study) to a ing homeless. These are the people who live in total of 138 research units. poverty, in a rented place, and often change The main task of the research varies de- their place of residence due to their inability pending on the research sample. The following to cover for the living expenses because of text will present the key diagnostic methods. their poor health. The experts are critical that in addition to Theoretical Remarks the street homelessness, as the most con- The interviewees have stated to feel dis- spicuous form of poverty and social exclusion, criminated compared to the other vulnerable many other situations including accommoda- categories, namely in that they are not con- tion at friends and relatives, life in temporary, sidered a priority in our country, either by the open space or substandard living conditions, governmental, religious, business sector or the need to be considered as potential or hidden civil organizations. They consider themselves a homelessness and be addressed by the social subject of declarative rather than an essential policies. interest. There is no clear definition in the Mace- The homelessness is primarily a burning is- donian Social Protection Policy of what is a sue for the single parents (mostly mothers), homeless person. divorced mothers (with or without children), drug users, sex workers, human trafficking vic- Profiles of Homeless People tims, parentless children and children lacking A profile is considered a group of people (in parental care. this case homeless people) with similar per- The experts’ definition on homelessness sonal traits and other features. The profiles derives from their practical experience, given may be singled out according to the socio- that, in Macedonia, there is no official opera- demographic characteristics of the focus tional definition on homelessness. Therefore, group, subject to analysis, such as gender, they single out several categories of homeless age, education, etc. people, namely: Given that our concept is based on the Eu- а) Fully homeless people and roofless peo- ropean Typology on Homelessness and Hous- ple. These predominantly include individuals ing Exclusion (ЕТ¬HOS), we use their criteria who reside on the street and sleep in inappro- for categorization of the profiles. At the same

30 31 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

time, we acknowledge that in the classic velopment of programmes to help reduce the is necessary. Macedonia is probably not differ- standard housing or people of low social status “short definition” on homelessness, the num- discrimination and the negative stigma by the ent than any other country in respect of the who are facing homelessness. In our terminol- ber of profiles is significantly lower the one of society, as well as ensuring their more success- reasons leading to homelessness, but rather ogy, these are considered potential homeless ETHOS. ful social inclusion. by its lack of interest in prevention of the phe- people. The same organizations assess that for The interviewees remark that, in general, nomenon. some 30 percent of their beneficiaries there there is no information on the profiles of Potential homelessness/people living in inse- is a risk of losing their home. Part of them homeless people in the Macedonian analyses. cure and inappropriate housing A view at the actual situation point to larger numbers, which mostly refer to Given the housing criterion, in Macedonia Securing a home and employment are an and possible solutions e-Roma or to people with mental disabilities. there is: immediate need of the people who are tem- The statements of the interviewees reflect The civil organizations consider that they pro- Public homelessness/homeless people with- porarily residing with relatives and friends or the actual state of homelessness in the coun- vide various social services to the vulnerable out roof over their heads – people who reside who have secured an illegal place of residence. try, locate the contentious aspects in the ap- categories of citizens, although they are not on the street The individuals residing in an illegally built proach and the treatment of homelessness as reimbursed by the state. Exiting from long-term homelessness and object require support and counseling on mat- well as offer solutions for tackling the problem: As one of the most important ways of tack- preserving employment are the biggest chal- ters of legalization of their buildings. The per- The NGO projects offer short-term solu- ling the situation they consider the record- lenges for this group. Health care and psy- sons and the families with substandard hous- tions or solutions of temporary nature. keeping and the creation of database of peo- chological counseling services are their most ing require assistance for improvement of the The Interior Ministry does not keep re- ple who face housing problems; prevention or direct needs. Combatting addiction (mainly quality of their homes (access to electricity, cords of the homeless people. professional work with people who are facing alcohol) is one of the obstacles towards ensur- water and sewerage). Lack of creativity in the work of the social potential homelessness; good coordination ing continued progress in the work with this At the same time, this target group would welfare centres. and cooperation between all respective insti- focus group. benefit from assistance in pursuing employ- A need for development of creative mod- tutions, civil organizations and other actors ment through professional qualification and els of self-employment and employment of working with people and the families facing Hidden homelessness/people without home, requalification training programmes. homeless people through social entrepreneur- problems which can lead to homelessness. sheltered in institutionally or otherwise sup- ship. ported housing Main characteristics Promoting of non-institutional living With the aim of reducing and preventing Improvement of the conditions in the col- of homeless people of people with long-term hospitalization in homelessness, it is necessary to have contin- lective housing, reviewing of social welfare According to the interviewees, the bulk of medical and psychiatric institutions, as well ued commitments that would ensure con- packages and services which will be addition- the homeless people lack appropriate educa- as subsidized housing for the other categories tinuous and sustainable social development, ally available to the beneficiaries of the such tion or capacities for independent labor mar- of homeless in the urban environment, among including: housing as opposed to the current practice of ket participation, adequate work habits, com- other citizens, as opposed to their segregation Creation of equal opportunities for all vul- solely securing “roof over their heads” after munication skills and a sense of responsibility. in private centres at the outskirts. nerable groups on the labour market; which they will be forgotten. In Macedonia, the percentage of homeless “First a home”, a programme imple- Development of a national programme The social and psychological support pro- people who have deliberately opted for home- mented in many countries throughout Europe with a focus on elimination of hunger; grammes for individual work with domestic lessness as a lifestyle is small. which addresses housing and other issues of State-subsidized funds intended for peo- violence victims or addicts could improve the There is a pattern of “heredity” in the the homelessness. ple facing extreme poverty and social exclu- individual feeling of acceptance and self-help, homelessness. Development of a more humane approach sion; as well the feeling of belonging to the commu- The reasons for the occurrence of home- toward the homeless people as opposed to la- Securing and promoting quality social ser- nity. There is a lack of information and support lessness are of both economic and psycho- beling, stigmatizing and ghettoization, which vices for obtaining professional qualification on matters of exercising their rights. logical nature. There is a strong link between are the main characteristics of the current sys- opportunities for the vulnerable categories of This focus group requires assistance in se- homelessness and addiction. tem of work with this target group. citizens in various spheres, such as education, curing employment via professional training The homeless people (public homeless- A greater involvement in the support and housing, health protection, social protection programmes or requalification (which includes ness) often move between cities, during which prevention by the state and local institutions. and employment; training in the local languages) or direct access they select “popular” places, depending on the Development of programmes for re-so- Improvement of the form “social housing to state-owned and private companies that degree of their solidarity. Such is the case with cialization and social inclusion of this target and housing of vulnerable groups” and passing would receive subsidies for providing employ- the city of Tetovo and the so called “sadakar” group; of a separate law on social housing; ment to this group of people. The employment custom, which stands to denote humanity and Increased involvement of the local self- and the regular income constitute the primary solidarity of people experiencing hardships. Only one socially-engaged NGO works pri- governance, the community, the civil sector, step in the transition of this category of peo- For establishing exact and precise data marily with homeless people (public homeless- business, religious associations and citizens ple toward independent, non-institutional life. about the underlying reasons of homelessness), whereas the other civil organizations in the policies on social exclusion and fight Additional efforts are required for the de- ness in the country, a thorough investigation work predominantly with people living in sub- against homelessness; 32 33 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

6.1 PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS Greater institutional consistency and pose, it is essential to have a clear definition, interconnectivity in providing timely and ap- national and regional strategies with appropri- propriate services for individuals and families ate action and monitoring plans and develop- 6.1.1 public homelessness category 1 at risk; ment of research programmes. Implementation of the measures pre- Equally required is the promotion of so- scribed by the National Strategy on Poverty cial innovation, particularly in the sphere Reduction and Social Exclusion for the period of employment of homeless or potentially 2010-2020. homeless people, promotion of quality social services and, particularly, information-sharing One crucial aspect of the systemic determi- between these target groups for the avail- nation for reducing homelessness would be a able types of services, continued training of multi-sector and multi-disciplinary approach, the professional teams and transnational ex- which is sensitive to the different needs and change; programmes for improvement of the characteristics of the homeless and potential- living conditions of the families at risk; sup- ly homeless people. port in obtaining personal identification docu- A Protocol for measuring and monitoring ments, psychological and social support and the state of homelessness, as well as report- programmes that would ensure reintegration ing on the progress made in overcoming this in the community. phenomenon are also necessary. For this pur-

A roof to keep the clouds away! (operational category: people living in difficult conditions: in public spaces or out in the open; general definition: people living on the street or in public spaces, without roof over the head)

34 35 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

of the interviewees have citizenship of Repub- life, but I don’t get anything from anyone... eight months in the premises of one institu- lic of Macedonia, but often have no passport Over 24 years I’ve been out on the street since I was 14; I tion – explains N.B. He is often helped by the and/or ID card, whereas two have no citizen- haven’t done anything stupid, unless some- Red Cross, and he also tried himself as a sales ship and other documents. Only one person body messes around with me. Then I have to person of the Face to Face street magazine, lives in a civil partnership, and one person of homelessness defend myself.... The street has taught me although sales were difficult for him. with violent father, who is an alcoholic. The everything, but I didn’t take the wrong way His vision of the future is to have a modest others are single, often divorced or separated N.B was born 38 years ago in Croatia and – to steal, to lie... I don’t do that – says N.B. home, family, work and a normal life. from their partners and children. Three have has never had the opportunity to attend At the moment he takes shelter in aban- - I want to have a purpose to live. I don’t no education; one has completed primary school. Recently he has learned the letters, doned houses, on benches or in some safe know why I live for. It’s hard for me, I don’t education with additional two years of high has difficulty writing, and is not familiar with harbor in the vicinity of the St. Kliment know... sometimes I feel like I want to die, to school, whereas others have completed voca- the numbers. This makes his homeless life Ohridski church, where he sleeps on card- get this over with…or somebody to kill me, to tional education, namely: graphic, mechanic, even harder. He is not familiar with filing in board. hit me, to get away from all of this. This life is painter, culinary, or machinist training school. forms in order to register for social welfare He spends his days mostly alone, and he terrible – he explains with tears in his eyes. All of the interviewees live in Skopje, out in or obtain documents, and he requires assis- rarely takes the courage to communicate the open, or in church yards. Some of them tance. with somebody. occasionally take shelter in building construc- He started his homeless life at the age of - If I get the feeling that someone is ok, I’ll ANALYSIS tion sites or in urban ruins. One of them, 14, as a result of family problems. His par- sit down and strike a conversation, but I’m The following analysis refers to a ques- after several months of homelessness has ents separated when he was very young, and mostly alone. I’m afraid to talk to just any- tionnaire which analyzes the situation with managed to temporarily rent a room (for five he stayed to live with his father. body. I don’t know their intentions. That’s homeless people, living on the street. The days). Another homeless person temporarily - Until I was 14 I lived with my father and street life – says N.B. questionnaire aims to provide insight into shares a room with a friend, while one person my stepmother. My stepmother seemed to He explains that the hardest thing in life the self-evaluation and self-perception of the occasionally stays in the house of his violent be bothered with me, as I had other step- for him is that he does not have a steady job homeless and is designed for the purposes of father. The Stone Bridge, the Railway Station, brothers and stepsisters. They all went to and that should he have one he would be this research. The interviews were conducted streets and parking lots in Skopje, parks and school, except for me. There were quarrels able to rent an apartment and pay his rent in the period between August to October benches, small shops and coffee shops which every day and I couldn’t bear that. So, one more regularly. 2015 in the shelter for the homeless in Momin they guard for some change are some of the day I went on the street and childishly said - Everything else will follow. I want to live Potok or in the premises of Public – the As- places that during the research had served to myself: “Finally freedom! I’m saved!” like other people. I don’t ask for much... only sociation for Research, Communication and them as a home. I watched other homeless people on the for a job and a roof over my head and a place Development. One of the interviews decided Several people have become homeless early street in Croatia, but I didn’t know any bet- to have a rest. I’m 38. If I didn’t have these to stop the interview due to personal reasons. on in their lives, due to poor family relations ter. I thought they have a good life. But later, things in my childhood, at least I should have The analysis of the responses takes into or due to their refugee status from the war in when I grew up, I noticed the difference – re- them now – says N.B. account the needs of this focal group, the Bosnia and Herzegovina, and have remained counts N.B. He says that he feels people have no un- reasons that have led to homelessness and such for more than 15 years. Part of the home- He first strayed the streets of Zagreb, and derstanding for him, and that he even gets its side effects over their physical and mental less people live out on the street for a period soon after, in 1991, after acknowledging blamed for the situation he is in. health, their social relations with their fami- of 4-6 years, and only a small percentage have that the street life is no easy life, he came to - Friends say to me “You are incapable! Go lies, friends and other homeless people, the lived on the street for less than a year or only Macedonia, to his grandmother. get yourself a job!“ I feel really bad when they treatment by the community and the institu- for a few months. One of them has found shel- - My grandmother lived with my uncle. say these things to me. They’d better hit me tions, as well as the vision for the future and ter in a rented residence, and continued to He didn’t accept me and I spent most of the than say this to me – he says and adds that the personal perspective on how to overcome live on the street afterwards. Only one person, time out on the street. And this is how my he never considered begging as an option. the problem with homelessness. during the period of the research, has tempo- life went... My grandmother died 11 years - I’ve never asked anything from anyone. rarily rented a place of residence, and has also ago and since then I have no regular place Sometimes people who know me will give me REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE used services of the centre in Momin Potok. to stay. I’m out on the street – explains N.B. 50 or 100 MKD. I don’t want it but they put it Ten men and one woman were interviewed His entire family currently lives in Bel- in my pocket anyway. These people helped as part of the ranged from 17 to 59 years. Four REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS, gium. He has relatives in Macedonia, but me to go through the winter more easily, of the interviewees were in their early fifties, PERCEPTION AND IMPACT ON THE states that he has no contact with them. they took me in. They are good people. They three in their forties and two in their early GENERAL HEALTH - They all mind their business. You get give me food, a warm place to sleep in. They thirties. The ethnic cross-section comprises Domestic conflicts are the most common housed for couple of days and then you don’t leave me outside, but they have their three e-Macedonians, five e-Roma, one female reason for leaving home and becoming home- are ousted... I also want to have a normal supervisors, so they forbid them. I spent e-Roma, two e-Bosniaks and one e-Turk. Nine less. Divorce, poor family relations, unsettled 36 37 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

property and hereditary rights, domestic vio- parents, who use social benefits on his behalf, As regards their social communication, the group. Useful services also come from friends lence, and violation of the right to selection of to be placed in a health institution. homeless individuals rarely keep in touch with and acquaintances who provide them with partner, are the most common family disputes The bulk of the homeless people have families and relatives. When communicating, temporary accommodation, food, blankets or due to which people leave their homes and go health insurance and respective documents, it is mostly by phone or via Facebook. Only a short employment. A structured support is on to live on the streets. but the illiterate individuals have difficulties in one case the homeless person has financial necessary from the institutions and a more Some of the interviewees do not feel home- using the services offered by the institutions. support from his family. Three of the inter- organized support from the citizens. Address- less and, regardless of the absence of an ac- Others have either lost their documents along viewees claim that they socialize with other ing their status of social welfare beneficiaries, tual home, they do not consider themselves with their homes, or they have been de- homeless people, help each other and share documents for identification and the use of part of this group of people. stroyed. The bulk of the homeless people dur- their problems. “We help each other” states one regular health care are but some of their im- “I used to live out on the street, but now I ing the last year had visited the doctor. Some 51-year old. The others stress that they do not mediate needs. somehow manage to find money to pay for a of them regularly attend medical check-ups socialize with other homeless people. Some Some of the homeless people have no posi- room, where I live very modestly, but this is what and have their own doctors. Of note is that are even angry because they feel manipulated. tive hopes for their future. The diseases and I need for start - to become independent. “You are almost all of them face some chronic illness Their social ties include mostly their friends, the hard life does not offer hope for a better homeless when you are on the street”“, explains (cancer, thrombosis, hyperglycemia, hyperten- supporting NGOs which sometimes provide tomorrow. One interlocutor claims that he one 50-year old homeless person. “A homeless sion, asthma, epilepsy, as well as alcohol and them with temporary employment. The Red was aiming to leave the country, whereas an- person is a man who has nothing and is not will- drug abuse) and are not able to cover their Cross, the community food centres, HOPS and other one claims that he has “dark thoughts” ing to do anything to improve his life” - says one medical expenses. Three persons have not had the Face to Face magazine are some of the en- because of his difficult life. However, mainly, 41-year old homeless person. medical check-up during the last year and one tities which they single out as providers of help their vision for the future includes a home, Some are ashamed of their status. “I’m of them only uses medical consultancy in the to the homeless. steady finances, family, and friends. They as- ashamed. I’m very uncomfortable when I see my Momin Potok Centre. Two persons have men- The homeless feel that the wider commu- pire for a daily routine which will not bring friends, when I need to ask for their help or sleep tal disabilities and only few of them indicate nity is discriminatory towards them. fears of the unknown and they would like to over at their place, but after a while I’ve accepted problems of insomnia, sickness, headaches, “I’m treated like a dog. They say to me: You’re cheer up with “few drinks”. They simply want it and got used to it”, - recalls one 41-year old. and prolonged neurosis. incapable, get yourself a job! “ says one 38-year “a normal life”, instead of the current one, However, despite everything, they request old. filled with stress and fears. a normal treatment by the community. “I’ve PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND SOCIALIZATION Only few of them claim that they are treat- “I sometimes fear myself”, says one 38-year told them many times: do not look at me as some The main problems faced by the homeless ed fairly by the community, which is report- old. homeless person, but as your friend. I need to are the scarcity and the quality of food, the edly due to their decent appearance which There is a strong consensus among the communicate, to chat with people, I didn’t come inability to maintain the personal hygiene and conceals the fact that they are homeless. This interviewees on the existent connection be- to ask for your help, I only want to have a cup of the inaccessibility to permanent employment. issue stirred some emotions in one of the in- tween the home and the employment. For coffee with you, to share something with you, to Their past had left traces of trauma in their terviewees, causing him to leave the interview. some, securing a home is the first step in ad- ask for advice – if I need it”, says one 51-year lives. They also face psychological problems, Most of them claim that they have no one to dressing the issue of homelessness, while for old. fatigue, insomnia and inability to face their communicate with because, as they say, no- others, the employment is the first step to a Only two persons are beneficiaries of social situation. Some claim that they are sometimes body wants to associate with homeless people. stable life, and planning of the available finan- welfare in the amount of 6.000 MKD, i.e. 4.800 driven to desperation due to their poor living cial means. Undeniably these two needs are MKD for care. The others have no regular fi- conditions. USEFUL SERVICES, SOLUTIONS interrelated and interdependent. nancial income. They rely on casual employ- Their needs are very modest: “I need to pay AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE According to them, the homelessness ment, collection of plastic bottles, street sales the rent, the room, to have my TV set “, claims The possibility to have a bath, stay clean should be addressed through securing a home of Face to Face magazine. Three of them say one 38-year old. and get basic health and mental care by the and employment of all people, repurposing of that they make a living out of begging. They Employment, and particularly, obtaining a Homeless Centre in Momin Potok is one of the all abandoned houses, buildings and barracks do not like the way they are treated when they regular job is a ubiquitous need, although not most useful services and support being offered into accommodation for homeless people. work, and are usually less paid by the others. everyone is proactive in this area. They expect to them. However, they deem the frequency of “If I were rich I would make a factory for these None of the homeless persons of category support from the community, to be offered a the service (once a week) insufficient, and the people (points to the homeless) where they could 1.1 has been housed in a social institution. job or food and charity. Some of them have capacities are limited, due to which one of the work. And I would build a building with apart- One person stated that he had been offered taken part in fights, disputes and quarrels, interviewees claimed that he is not able to use ments to accommodate all of them. They should a place in the reception centre for homeless but most often are the object of violence and them. Some civil organizations offer services pay rent and also work. Instead we see monu- people in Cicino Selo, but he had to pay the robbery attempts. Some combat alcohol and for specific marginalized persons, such as ad- ments are built, buy a house, buy an apartment bills for refurbishment of the room, so he drug abuse; some are impulsive and explosive dicts. Some are involved in social entrepre- –all is a lie”, says one 42-year old. didn’t accept the offer. Another one, despite and are therefore often rejected by the com- neurship projects, however keeping a regular They claim there is no will or any initia- his chronic illness, has been prevented by his munity. employment is a true challenge for this target tive by the institutions to help the homeless. 38 39 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential 6.2 HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

6.2.1 HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS CATEGORY 3 They feel that they are usually perceived as and improving their competitiveness on the lazy and unwilling to work, which is why part labor market. Additionally, they are in need of of the community is unwilling to help. There psychological support for facing the problems are tensions even among the homeless people with insomnia, fatigue, inability to see the way themselves. out and particularly for increasing the mental “Give them a finger and they’ll take your capacities for coping with life struggles. hand”- says one 50-year old, stating his feelings The majority of the interviewees had a neat of other homeless. “They are not content with appearance and showed readiness for coop- anything. They will never thank you”, he says. eration. Part of them, particularly those who They feel that the current solutions for the combat alcohol abuse, appeared neglected homelessness are based on several services and untidy. The linguistic communication from institutions, insufficient financial and had difficulties of its own, due to insufficient social support and isolated instances of sup- knowledge of the Macedonian language or port from individuals, companies and organi- lower level of education. Few alcohol addicts zations. They further feel that the business also had blurred speech and thoughts. They as well as the civil and humanitarian organi- often gave contradictory statements and ab- zations would need to take part in tackling struse explanations, particularly with regard homelessness and offer a set of services, in ad- to the causes which had led them to homeless- dition to housing and obtaining qualifications ness and reluctantly talk about their family.

Only one reception centre for homeless people in Conclusion Securing home, employment, health care treatment and psychological services are the most Macedonia urgent needs of this target group. Although very useful, the current available services are con- (operational category: people housed in sidered partial and insufficient. Overcoming long-term homelessness and holding a permanent shelters for homeless people; situation: employment are the major challenges for this group. Dealing with the dependency, mostly on temporary accommodation; general alcohol, is one of the obstacles towards ensuring continued progress in the work with this target definition: short-stay accommodation) group.

40 41 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

grateful for the support offered in Cicino Selo. be able to pay the rent or be granted a social This analysis will focus only on subcategory for five years due to the kids. He would come She explains that they have water, elec- accommodation. It is diffcult to start from 3.2 which includes homeless people with tem- home constantly drunk. As a single parent I tricity, food, and water heater, and that she zero – and she further adds: porary accommodation in a centre for home- had an income of 7.500 MKD, but despite the is more than grateful with what she has, al- - All of us who have found ourselves in this less people. financial support, I would run out of money though the living conditions are exceptionally situation, we should strive to give our contri- According to the bylaws37, the reception and begged my mother to bring me diapers poor; the furniture is deteriorating; there is a bution and help each other. I would suggest centre for homeless people provides a six- and milk. She would bring me those and then strong smell of old staff in the room, metal building of nice residential buildings in Cicino month accommodation, with a possibility she would leave. She wasn’t allowed inside. My beds and dilapidated mattresses. Selo, but it is difficult. Knowing the people of extension of the contract. Nevertheless, partner used to hit me, and I was often cov- - We receive a hot meal – musaka, lentils here, they will not keep the premises clean. evidence shows that people have stayed there ered in blood. I was kept tied for 24 hours and stew, and in the morning, we get dry food. If They ask for help, but are not willing to help beyond 10 years. was hit with iron objects. My child used to say something gets broken in the room, we attend themselves. The subcategories 3.1 (hostels for home- to me: - Please mum, don’t die! – recalls tear- to it. There are electric heaters in the room. Despite all, she says that she doesn’t feel like less) and 3.3 (transit accommodation centres) fully D.M. So far, we have not had any accidents, and if a homeless person: according to the ETHOS Typology on Home- At the moment, she stressed, she has con- we detect any problem, my partner attends to - We are sheltered here in the centre. The lessness and Housing Exclusion shall not be tact only with her mother. Her older brother it – explains D.M. homeless people have no roof over their heads, considered due to the insufficient accommo- is abroad and she has no communication with When she first came to the reception cen- and we do. Homeless are those who go to Mo- dation capacities and services of this type in him, same as with her father, whom she keeps tre, she was accommodated in the cabin which min Potok, sleep on benches, under bridges… the country. no contact with. - I have no contact with my fa- caught fire in 2015 due to excessive voltage on ther. He insulted me when he said that I should the electricity network. give my children to foster care. Then I started As she explained to us, there is no resident ANALYSIS The death of living in an abandoned house, without utilities doctor at the reception centre, but she had Анализата што следува се однесува на and I stopped every contact with him. Zlatko been issued a certificate that she is a homeless прThe following analysis refers to a question- her brother and Katerina from the Social Welfare Centre person, based on which, she is released from naire which analyses the situation of the peo- helped me come to Cicino Selo“. medical expenses. ple accommodated in collective accommoda- completely As of June 2014 she is accommodated in the At the moment she has no financial income. tion establishment i.e. reception centre. The reception centre for homeless people in Cicino The support as a single parent to two children questionnaire aims to provide insight into the changes her life Selo where she lives with her two extramarital has been cancelled after she had been accom- self-evaluation and self-perception of the in- children. She is expecting a third child from modated in Cicino Selo. terviewees, and is designed for the purposes of her extramarital partner who also lives with D.M.’s life has completely changed its track On the question what are the most burning this research. The interviews were conducted them in the centre. seven or eight years ago, when her 12-year old issues faced by the homeless D.M responds: in the period between November - December Her older son is a first -grader and attends a brother died of cancer. Reportedly, her father - The problem lies with us. We must learn our 2015. One interview has been conducted via daily school which they pay for with the money blamed her for his death. lessons. And when we live with the support of telephone, one in the premises of Public and earned by her partner, who works as an elec- - I felt really bad and hoped to become preg- an institution we must live together and look the others in the Cicino Selo reception centre. trician. They also cover the expenses for the nant. It was a planned pregnancy from a short after the premises which are now our home. The analysis of the responses focused on school uniform. relationship. It was a way for me to keep myself I wanted to get out of here, but I got preg- the needs of this focal group, the reasons for Her younger son, who is three, does not at- distracted. In the sixth month of pregnancy I nant. To pay for rent, we must make a down the homelessness and the side effects of the tend kindergarten due to their insufficient fi- left my home to share an apartment with a payment for couple of months, but I have no homelessness over their physical and mental nances to cover the daycare expenses. friend, and when I gave birth, I went back to job. After I deliver I will receive a third child health, the satisfaction with the services in the - They must relieve us from payment of fees my parents. My mother looked after my son. support benefit, and I will also try to find a job Reception Centre, the social relations with the for the children. We sent a request to the Min- Soon after, I met another man and I lived with with my security license – explains D.M. families, friends and with other people in the istry of Labor and Social Policy, but we have no him for five years. I had a second son with him. She says that people cannot understand her Centre, the treatment by the communities and answer yet. They don’t guarantee us the relief We had many quarrels and disagreements. as they have never been through what she has the institutions, as well as the vision for the fu- – explains D.M. I was subjected to violence both by him and been. ture and the personal perspective on how to Asked about the conditions in the Centre, by his family. The police and the court were - I used to have everything. I lived in a fam- overcome their problem in the future. she answers that compared to the abandoned informed about the violence. I tolerated it ily with both parents employed, but now I have house where she used to live, she is really nothing, and I have to fight for my children – REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE says D.M. In the category of people housed in an in- 37 ZSD, methodological guidelines and manuals, Book 1, Skopje 2007.str 26-28 She is looking forward to a brighter future. stitutionally supported collective facility - I hope to get benefits for a third child and interviews have been conducted with 6 inter- 42 43 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

viewees, of which four women and two men. insured and has no health care card. Although of the social stigma makes them want to hide and have therefore been sheltered in the cen- The age of the interviewees ranged from 28 to he is a blood donor, has no benefits because of their place of residence. One person points out tre. The family life stories of all the people have 68 years. One person is in his late thirties, one it. They also regularly visit the doctor. Some that his family does not know that he is resid- been filled with harassment, uncertainty, stress, in his early forties, two in late fifties and two suffer from chronic illnesses and depression ing in this institution. “My son doesn’t know fear for the children. “I don’t even know myself in early sixties. The ethnic cross-section com- and claim that they have no financial means I’m here in Cicino Selo. He thinks that I live in a how I have brought my children up” - claims one prises six Macedonians, one e-Roma and one to cover for the prescribed medicine and often rented place” – says one 57-year old resident of 57-year old resident of the centre. e-Serb. All of the interviewees have birth cer- the one-off social assistance is not sufficient the centre. Lack of their own home, unemployment and tificates and citizenship of Republic of Mace- to cover for the incurred need for medicine. In general, the residents of the centre are absence of regular financial income, isolation donia, whereas one person has declared a loss Only one person without medical insurance not pleased with the quality of the living con- from the wider community, these are the most of the documents along with loosing of the fails to visit the doctor and has occasional ditions and of the institution. “It provides a roof common problems faced by the residents in the home. One interviewee possesses ID card from dental problems. over our head” – claims one 67-year old resident collective housing of the homeless. Lack of free Republic of Bulgaria. Only one person lives in in the centre. They are grateful that they have bus transportation prevents them keeping in civil partnership together with the partner DAILY LIFE IN THE INSTITUTIONAL roof over their heads, electricity, water supply touch with the environment or their relatives. and the children in the reception centre, and COLLECTIVE HOUSING and two meals per day. The families with more Institutional housing prevents them from one person is married. The other six persons The daily activities in the collective housing family members use two or more rooms, while having regular financial income. Few people are divorced. Of them, one person has adult include maintenance of the home, the corridor the single ones share a room, or are alone in have lost their social welfare benefits after they children and un underage niece. The other and the yard. However, the interviewees note the room. Some have invested in their room had been placed in the centre. However, the six persons are divorced, of which one person that they do not keep the maintenance of the with additional furnishings, and have thus conditions and the location of the centre do not with adult children and underage niece lives in joint premises. “Of some 60 people living in the made it a more pleasant place for living. How- meet all their needs for food, hygiene, mobility the centre, while the two underage children of premises, only 10 look after the centre – for the ever, they are not content that they have no and communication with the family and the another person are accommodated in a foster kitchen, for the toilet“ – says one 28-year old hot water and that the quality of the meals friends. “I can’t even buy sugar for tea“- claims care institution. Two children have not com- tenant of the centre. Some claim that their poor, and are not satisfied that the lunch and one 57-year old resident of the centre. Only two pleted any education, two have completed ba- days are monotonous and stressful. “During the the dinner are served together, and so instead people have occasional income. The partner sic education, one has high school education, day we do nothing, we just sit around and watch of three, they feel that they get two meals. of one family occasionally earns money on the one has vocational school, one has two-year TV” – states one 67-yeard old resident in the Generally, the residents in the reception black labor market and thus manages to cover higher education, while another person has Centre, who has been in the centre for almost centre feel safe. The institution has a security for the schooling expenses for the children or higher education. The interviewees come from 10 years. Some keep themselves busy with service and that makes them feel safer. Still, maintenance of the home, while one person has different cities in the country and are housed crafts, go for a walk in the city, although having they underline that it is an open space and it had a month-long temporary employment and in the reception centre in Skopje. One tenant, no free transportation is a problem for them. is accessible to random passersby. One person the entire income has been taken away from as a result of domestic violence, has been us- They point out to disputes and fights between states that he is concerned for his niece, who him due to unsettled debt. “Those were the first ing sheltering services for a period of a year, in the residents. “I don’t hang around with them, while departing for school is an object of re- money in the last nine years that I have had on various cities. One person has been sheltered it’s not possible, and I’m not considered one of marks by the local people. They state some my account” – claims one 61-year old resident in the centre with his family for ten years, two them. And I’m not like them“ – says one 61-year internal factors who make them feel insecure, of the centre. Also, only one person helps out have stayed for five years, two between 18 old resident of the centre. Some are afraid to such as: verbal disputes and fights between in the local work in the village, and receives a months and two years and two persons for one move freely in the surroundings of the centre. the residents; fear of fire caused by the heaters minor financial compensation for that. Two per- year. One person did not specify the length It is rarely that someone has contacts with in the rooms and one interviewed family was sons make crafts and have on several occasions of his homelessness. Only one person resides the immediate surroundings of the reception also a subject of fire. Some women are afraid succeeded to sell some of their products. One permanently in an institution for a period of centre. “From time to time somebody from the of the older men, particularly when they go to person has a professional license, whereas two 10 years. One family resides with their two un- village will look for me, I will go help them, they the toilet. They have even been assaulted, they persons had been part of a training programme derage children and is expecting a third child, will give me some money“– says one 57-year old are afraid of the drug addicts, who have also for requalification supported by the Ministry while one extended family with two adult sons, resident of the centre. The collective housing been placed in this centre. “I’d like to get away of Labor and Social Policy and they hope that of which one is chronically ill and an underage contributes to greater association between from here” – says one 57-year old resident. that would secure them employment. Several niece, is housed in the reception centre. Two the residents and they maintain close friendly people had been offered donations by friends persons share a room and four persons have an relationships. However, some feel isolated and REASONS FOR LOSS OF HOME, and relatives. Three persons have no financial exclusive room. Two of the children attend pri- lonely even when they share joint premises PROBLEMS, AND SOCIALIZATION income or support from the family or friends. mary school, while one child is looked after by with people in the long run. “Human relations Divorce, domestic violence, deteriorated Some of them feel insecure as homeless a mother who has no means to cover for day- are at a very poor level here, there’s violence all domestic relations, job loss, financial frauds persons. “Homelessness is a condition when the care expenses. Seven people have health insur- around, threats, loots, inhumanity“– describes and mortgages are some of the reasons due to people have no roof over their head and sleep on ance and a health care card. One person is not a 61-year old resident of the centre. The fear which people have lost or have left their home the street, parks, under the bridges” – claims one 44 45 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

28-year old resident of the centre. “A homeless it. I don’t want to be pitied. I don’t want to beg, and the civil sector. They stress that a more hu- The interviewees had appropriate appearance, person is to be pitied, he/she has nothing of their nor ask for mercy. I’d accept cleaning toilets only mane approach to the problem is necessary, with displayed readiness for cooperation and provided own. I can at least make the ends meet “– claims to earn a living” – he continues. Some of them greater understanding, and feel that the con- assertive answers. Only one person appeared ne- one 57-year old resident of the centre. However, would like to take part in associations working struction of social housing with small compensa- glected and tired, but with good communication they are critical towards the conditions they on the rights of single parents. The fact that tion may be the solution for homelessness or at skills and open for cooperation. No language bar- live in, although they meet their minimal needs. they are also single parents or because of their least for their current situation. For those who riers were registered. Neurosis was observed with „No way, as long as we are not on the streets“ – situation they live without their children, moti- are not in a situation to look after themselves, some interviewees whenever personal injustices describes one 68–year old the life conditions in vate them to get involved in acquiring greater they propose appropriate institutional care. They had been dissected and often postponed the in- the centre. Due to long-term accommodation in rights for this category of families. also feel that the protection of the vulnerable terview as they had the need for personal com- Cicino Selo she is ready to protest demanding categories of people should be improved through munication. They understand the societal prob- more suitable accommodation for her family. ”If USEFUL SERVICES, SOLUTIONS increased cooperation between institutions and lems and brainstorm possible solutions. However, I’d known I’d have rather lived out on the street AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE the civil sector. They underline that a more hu- the impression remains that they are passive in rather than here. As of January we wish, if we are Although they are thankful for the provision mane approach is necessary to the problem, with resolving past personal family issues or in over- not accommodated, to protest with our blankets of roof over their heads, they still consider that more understanding and favoritism of the institu- coming obstacles in their current life. before Parliament” – she claims. Still, for the it is necessary to improve the living conditions in tions and the community. people, life in the centre is better than before. the centre. They acknowledge that part of the “Compared to the abandoned house where we responsibility for maintenance of the premises used to live, this is excellent” – says one 28-year is individual, however, it is necessary to have a old resident of the centre. greater inclusion of the state institutions and var- Facing a new life situation for some people ious package of social welfare. The furnishing of is a traumatic experience. “In the beginning, the the rooms and the maintenance are taken cared first few weeks, I was contemplating suicide, but I of by the residents, and they are not able to cover couldn’t go through with that“– said one 61- year for it. Therefore, the decreasing of the quality of old resident of the centre. living conditions is inevitable. They are pleased The interviewees are rarely in contact with to have the services of a social worker who visits their wider families: parents, children, relatives. them once a week. Some claim that their families are not willing to Also considered useful for them are the free help them and, although they thought that they legal aid, the personal support by the employees would manage quickly, they are still homeless. in the social welfare centers, the support of some Contacts with other state institutions or as- church associations, civil organizations as well sociations are also rare. Some had been aided as donations from companies or citizens. They by friends, businessmen, church associations, need more information for access to work, in- or employees in the local centers for social struction for filling in applications for subsidized work. They are angry as the accommodation apartments, ways for obtaining requalification in the collective institutional housing prevents and professional qualifications as well as how the them in using other social services, such as: current status will affect their future retirement. use of public cuisines, compensation for single As regards their future, they are willing to leave parents, care and social welfare. Also, they feel the centre. They would like to get employed and neglected by the institutions and by the social their children to be able to live an independent Conclusion welfare centres, as well as lonely and isolated. life from the institutions, alone or with their fami- Improvement of the conditions in the institutional collective housing, reviewing of packages for They feel that the wider community has no un- lies. They have modest requests. They consider social support and services, which will be additionally available to the beneficiaries of the collec- derstanding for their situation. They feel aban- that the construction of social housing with low tive housing as opposed to the current practice of securing “a roof” and be forgotten. Initiatives doned and not accepted, with a sense of shame rent may be the solution for homelessness or at for liaison with the local environment may diminish the feeling of isolation and increase the per- and marked by the friends and the wider family least for the situation they are in, and for those ception for security in the centre. Programmes for mental and social support and individual work on how they have accepted their new residence. that are not able to look after themselves, they with the people – victims of domestic violence or combatting addiction could improve the individ- “Many people that I used to know act like they propose appropriate institutional care. They also ual feeling of acceptance and self-help, as well as improve the feeling of collective affiliation with don’t know me now, they avoid me“– says one feel that the protection of the vulnerable cat- the community. Still, the assistance to employment through professional training programmes or 61-year old resident of the centre. „Yes, I’m egories of citizens should be improved, through requalification programmes or direct access to state and private companies, is the first step in the homeless and I find it difficult, but I deal with intensified cooperation between the institutions transition of these people toward independent life. 46 47 6.2.2 HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS CATEGORY 4 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

According to official data of the Ministry of shelter in Sveti Nikole has problems with leak- Labor and Social Policy, in Macedonia there ing and dampness, and is therefore not widely are four state owned shelter-centres as well used. The shelter in Kocani has problems with as two crisis centres (which shelter victims for heating – it is heated on firewood, so it is hard- 24-48 hours). The latter are headed by NGOs, ly functional during winter time. Hence, only located in Skopje. In the state-owned shelter- the shelter in Skopje remains operational40. centres located in Skopje, Sveti Nikole, Bitola and Kocani, the victims may be sheltered for a period of three months with a possibility of Not allowed back extension of additional three months. Following expiry of the accommodation deadline, if the victim has nowhere to return home, afraid to go to, nor has any regular income to live on independently, he/she is referred to the Cicino Selo to work centre for homeless people. The shelter-centre has at disposal six to ten - I cannot stay in the shelter-centre indefi- beds in each of the regional centres in Skopje, nitely. I have the feeling that everything is luke- Sveti Nikole, Bitola and Kocani. warm, that the institutions do not react appro- The civil organizations working on domestic priately, that everything moves too slow. Who violence have reacted to the reduction in the will guarantee that he will not violate the tem- number of shelters, from seven in 2009 to four porary measures? He had said that if he meets in 2011,to the reduction of the capacities in me he’ll kill me – recalls disturbingly B.R. –victim the shelter in Skopje as well as to the fact that of domestic violence, placed in one of the shel- in the Polog region (Tetovo/Gostivar) there is ters in the country. no state-owned shelter for victims of domestic She is a woman with higher education, a violence38. The National Network against Vio- mother who, after the divorce, remains to live lence on Women has warned that the two na- in the same apartment with her former spouse. tionwide SOS-lines provide help only in Mace- - On request of the children I allowed him to donian and, according to their data, only one stay with us, but I was wrong – explains B.R. and crisis centre is currently operational39. adds that the problems have started intensify- The data available to the National Council ing in the last several years and that the quar- on Gender Equality with the SOZM show that rels have been exhausting. WHAT HAPPENS currently only one shelter is operational with - After the last harassment by him, I had to some 20 beds. According to them, the shelter leave the home – explains B.R. in Bitola is not a separate object but rather an She is employed, however, she explains that AFTER LEAVING apartment, which is rented upon need, and when she was punished she was not allowed to THE SHELTER- fits only one family (a mother with kids). The even go to work.

38 The Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of Women in Republic of Macedonia – ЕСЕ and Action Zdru- CENTRE? zenska: Shadow Report Report on the Implementation of the Convention for Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination of Women. Available at: http://zdruzenska.org.mk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/izvestaj-vo-senka.pdf [2.3.2016] (operational category: people in shelters for women, living situation: shelters and 39 National network against violence over women and domestic violence – voice against violence: Media advisory on the occasion of 25 November – International day of fight against violence over women. Available at: http://www.glasprotiv- reception centers for women, general defi- nasilstvo.org.mk/25-11-2015-soopshtenie-za-mediumi-po-povod-25-noemvri-megunaroden-den-za-borba-protiv-nasilstvo- nition: women, mostly victims of domestic vrz-zhenite/[2.3.2016] violence accommodated in shelter-centers 40 for short-term stay) MOST: Report from the public meeting of the MPs with the citizens, held in Kumanovo. Available at: http://www.most. org.mk/images/MOST/Izvestaj_Kumanovo.pdf [2.3.2016] 48 49 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

She says that she had been reporting her self-perception of the homeless and is de- REASONS FOR LEAVING THE HOME partners. They had been banned contact with former spouse to the police after each serious signed for the purposes of this research. The AND SEEKING ACCOMMODATION the family and were forbidden to go to work. incident. interviews were conducted in the period be- IN THE SHELTER-CENTRE - When he is at the police, they warn him. tween October 2015 to January 2016. One of the women is in the centre for the PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND INSTITUTIONAL He stays calm for a couple of months, but his The analysis of the responses takes into ac- first time and at the moment of the interview LACK OF COORDINATION behavior resumes – fights and beatings. If you count the needs of this focal group, the reasons she was spending her fifth day there. Two oth- Divorce and domestic violence have fully have no bruises, in the police you are not seen that have led to homelessness and its poten- er people, a one or two months ago, have left violated family relations and the relations with as someone you have to be taken care of. They tial impact and side effects over their physical the home of the violent partner and have been the wider family and with the children. Due to see it as no big deal. The court has pronounced and mental health, their social relations with placed in the shelter-center for the first time, the current situation the victims risk loss of temporary measures – forbidding him to harass their families, friends and other people in the while only one woman did that a year ago and their job or as users of social welfare are not in me and ordering him to take counseling. But he centre, the treatment by the community and was previously sheltered in a monastery. The a possibility to become fully independent and continued with the beating. From the Social the institutions, as well as the vision for the only reason due to which she has left the home “put together” their lives more quickly. Welfare Centre so far they have not informed future and the personal perspective on how to is the violence by her husband /partner. One The children are additional burden. Victims me that I can ask for help at the shelter-centre, aid the homeless victims of domestic violence. person, despite the divorce, has continued to feel guilty for leaving their children or that and I have reported the case long time ago live with her former husband because of the have not been able to look after them better. there. I just found out that I can be sheltered REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE child, however the violence in the home has One woman has lost her custody over the chil- – explains B.R. and underlines that she is afraid In the category of people-victims of domes- only intensified. Despite the regular reporting dren, while another one has no other support for her own safety and that she is not able to tic violence, who are placed in shelter centres to the institutions in charge of domestic vio- from them, and they feel that if only she would go home. She doesn’t feel safe and she cannot or use psychological or social support, inter- lence, she continued to be a victim of constant “listen better” everything would be fine.“One even go to work, nor come back to her parents views have been conducted with four women. “disputes and fights” and had been forced to of my children judges me because I have left and as she feels that would affect their safety. The youngest one is at the age of 39 years, leave. One lady had left her former spouse, says to me that if I would come back home at the - He will not leave me alone. I don’t know if while the oldest one has 53 years. One person who was an addict and represented a danger time of the incident, everything would have been there is a mechanism that can affect him. The is in his early forties and another one is in her for her. fine. The other child supports me, but secretly“– MOI and the CSR are lenient. We have no pre- early fifties. The ethnic cross-section compris- Only two of the women are employed and recalls one of the women. vention. Do I Need to be killed in order for them es all Macedonians, who own birth certificate one is a social financial support beneficiary. Insecurity dominates as a feeling in the giv- to reaffirm that he has killed a woman? We have and citizenship of Republic of Macedonia. The One of the women has a private business, who en situation. “I cannot stay in the shelter forever. zero prevention. The harshest measure taken by interviews were conducted in the shelter cen- in the period of her stay in the shelter-centre I have the feeling that everything is lukewarm, the police so far is two hours of detention for tres for victims of domestic violence in Skopje does not work, and so she is facing risk of los- that the institutions do not react adequately, the person who continually harasses me, both and in the first family centre in Skopje. Two of ing her independence. “Ever since I’m in the that everything is moving too slow. Who will psychologically and physically. The night when the women are divorced, one is married and shelter, I don’t go to work. I’m not allowed” – she guarantee that he will not violate the temporary I was taken in the shelter, the police detained one has lived in a temporary extramarital re- stresses. The other employee works freelance, measures?“ – recalls disturbingly one of the him and kept him in custody for two hours. The lationship. One divorced woman has two chil- without social, health or pension insurance women. next day he was circling the home of my par- dren and although she had been divorced for and is also facing a risk of losing the job due to Their former partners had been repeatedly ents. What do I have left? To live abroad? I only nine years, she has continued to live with her her current status. They both receive threats reported on the basis of domestic violence in have Macedonian passport. Even if I do leave, I husband and the children in a shared accom- by the former partners and are afraid of their the Interior Ministry and in the inter-municipal can only be tourist there – recalls disturbingly modation. All of the women have children and safety at the workplace which is known to the social welfare centres, however they feel that B.R. and adds that she is afraid of the fact that one of them has lost the custody over them. partner. “He threatened me that he would kill me these institutions are lenient and have no the harshest measure taken by the MOI in her One woman has not completed primary edu- if I come back living in his home town” – says one sense for the degree of violence they undergo. case is two hours of detention for her violent cation, one has completed primary education, of the women. “In the police if you have no bruises, they don’t partner. one has vocational school and one has high Three women are in close contact with their see you as a case on which they should work on” school. One of the women awaits documents families, and one woman, who has not won the – says one the women. “The warnings received ANALYSIS for accommodation in the reception centre for approval of her family for the extramarital re- by the police services, the hours-long detention Анали за та што следу ва се одне су ва на homeless people in Cicino Selo in Skopje. Only lationship with her former partner, has kept no in the police station, the temporary measures прThe following analysis refers to a question- one person is not covered by health insurance contact with them. One person keeps contact and the ordered consultancy have not resulted in naire which analyses the situation of victims and during the last year she had not under- with the state institutions and expects to be long-term change in the behavior of the partner. of domestic violence who are placed in shelter- gone a medical checkup. The others regularly placed in the shelter for homeless in Cicino Things improve for a short while and deteriorate centres or use the services of the first family visit the doctor and have no significant health Selo. Two women by the former partners have later on again” – say the women. center in Skopje. The questionnaire aims to issues. Only one person claims to have occa- been receiving personal death threats and Lack of personal home and health insurance, provide insight into the self-evaluation and sional strong headaches and insomnia. threats to their closest family by their former unemployment and insecure monthly income, 50 51 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

as well as the inability to see their children labyrinths, they had often spent years before are the major problems faced by the women they would find out which institutions and so- – victims of domestic violence. The inability to cial services are available to them. “The Social look after and raise their children, judgment Welfare Centre has not told me so far that I could by their families and the wider community, ask for their help, and I have reported the case a as well as the lack of sense in the institutions long time ago. It was not until now that I found that they have not done “enough” to preserve out I could be sheltered there” – recalls angrily the family are the stigma usually they addi- one of the women. tionally struggle with. To see and look after Their families are aware of their placement the children, to keep stable employment and in shelter-centres, however the fact that they insurance, home and personal safety, are their are unaware of the location provides them direct needs. Their life in the shelter-centre is with a sense of security. However, they are on the crossroads. “I cannot come back home, aware that this is not a permanent solution and I cannot go to work. I cannot come back to and they doubt the efficacy and the suitabil- my parents, I wouldn’t want this family to suffer ity of the institutional measures introduced because I’m there, and he will continue coming against the abusers, particularly given that there. It would be best for me to be nowhere, they had been receiving threats upon their neither here nor there. It should be a completely lives. “We have no prevention” - they concluded. different place” – explains one of the women. They deem useful the psychotherapy for The interviewees see themselves as persons victims, parents and underage children, con- without a home, with the difference that for sultancy on visitation and custody rights, and them, homeless are those that have nowhere legal aid which is offered in the shelters. They to go, unlike them, who may use institutional need more information on the type of avail- services or help from relatives and friends. able social services, access to work and guid- They feel that the community is passive or ance on social housing applications. indifferent to their situation. “People from In their vision for the future they all wish to the community do not wish to interfere. They have a secure home, employment with stable tell me to try and persevere“– says one woman. and higher income that would enable them to Those who tried to counter the violent partner take over custody over the children or provide have also received threats. Women-victims of better care to them. In the approach to resolv- Conclusion violence also believe they are being judged by ing problems they deem necessary to be pro- Raising the awareness of the general population on the services and the methods of institu- their environment: parents, children and rela- vided with work in order to be able to plan for tional assistance (including the legal aid) in situations of domestic violence are necessary for tives. Therefore, some feel isolated, locked in a new home, to guarantee their personal safe- initial encouragement of the victims to leave the abuser. There is a need for a formal reaction their problem or have moved out from their ty, respect the court decisions and pronounce and urgency of the institutions, primarily by the police and the state organs dealing with social previous place of residence. “Most of the neigh- more effective measures for the abusers. “I’m protection in cases of domestic violence. Domestic violence is not and should not be a private bors and the rest of the family do not support me powerless” – says one woman. “I remember that problem of the family. More effective institutional solutions for prevention and timely and quick and that is why I have strayed away“– underlines as a child there were community police officers reaction in crisis, particularly in the first days of leaving the home are necessary. More effective one woman. who knew approximately where problems could responses are necessary for re-socialization of the abuser, as well as programmes that will return emerge and they would pay more attention there. the confidence and the sense of security of the victims. Programmes for psychological and social I would feel safer that way “ – pointed out one assistance and individual work with the victims of domestic violence would help them face the USEFUL SERVICES, SOLUTIONS woman. sense of guilt that they leave their children or that they haven’t done or “suffered” enough to AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE The interviewees were open for coopera- keep the family together. The workplace of the victims is often under threat due to their situ- ЖрThe victims of domestic violence are in tion. They aim to depict the essence of the ation of long-term suffering of violence due to relocation in the accommodation in the shelter contact with the state institutions and civil problems and give their directions for their centre or the danger of revenge of the abuser. Therefore, it is necessary for the institution to look organizations, which give them advice and remediation. Occasionally, the interviewees after the protection of the workplace of the victims. On the other hand, the employees need as- support. However, not all of them had the were overwhelmed by strong emotions and sistance in finding employment that would enable them to leave independently. The institutions “right” information on where to report a case excitement; however they remained aware of would need to conduct monitoring also in a manner that victims face challenges of the newly of domestic violence. Stuck in institutional their situation. developed situation (work and social integration) and, if necessary, to enable and longer-lasting institutionally supported housing or other type of social support. 52 53 6.2.3 Homelessness HIDDEN around HOMELESSNESS us - public hidden potential CATEGORY 5 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

The Law on Asylum and Temporary Protec- the recognition of the refugee status until the tion (LATP) (146/2009 and 166/12) regulates submission of the application for citizenship, the rights and obligations of asylum seekers, the person has lawfully and continuously lived persons under subsidiary protection and per- on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia sons with a recognized refugee status. Depend- for at least six years; if not been punished with ing on the status they will acquire, the persons imprisonment longer than one year; he/she under subsidiary protection and the persons is older than 18; has housing and funds; has with a recognized refugee status are entitled knowledge of the Macedonian language; has to financial support which they obtain through not been issued a ban to stay; does not con- the competent social welfare centres, for a pe- stitute a threat to the security and defence; riod of two years (Article 53 of the LATP) in the and has signed an oath of loyalty. Underage case of the persons with recognized refugee children, whose parents (one or both), have status, or for a period of one year (Article 60 acquired Macedonian citizenship after their of the LATP), in the case of the persons under birth, may exercise the right to Macedonian subsidiary protection. After the expiry of that citizenship by naturalization. Article 54 of the period, the recognized refugees are equal to LATP defines the “basic health care services” the citizens of Macedonia in respect of all so- available for these persons, in accordance with cial protection rights. According to Article 53 the regulations of the health care system, and of the LATP, the basic financial assistance of provides for equality of the citizens of the Re- the right holder and the allowance for the oth- public of Macedonia. er family members is determined on the basis In accordance with the Law on Primary Edu- of the average monthly net salary paid per cation, the stateless children may undergo pri- employee in the Republic of Macedonia, in the mary education under the same conditions as last three months. In accordance with Article the children who are citizens of the Republic 52 of the LATP, the recognized refugee and the of Macedonia. Courses in their native language persons under subsidiary protection shall be are organized in cooperation with the Ministry provided with accommodation, with the par- of Education and Science (MoES). In accor- ticipation of the local government, which shall dance with the Law on Secondary Education, grant them a housing for usage purposes or a they have the opportunity to undergo free and financial support needed for obtaining accom- compulsory secondary education, just like the REFUGEE modation facilities, for a period of maximum children who are citizens of the Republic of two years as of the delivery of the decision for Macedonia. STATUS recognition of the refugee status. The respon- The issue pertaining to the learning of the sibilities of the local government, in terms of Macedonian language should be regulated by the implementation of the provisions of the law, as an integral part of certain mandatory AND FEAR LATP, as well as the decentralized competen- integration programs. The MoES has an obli- cies, cannot be implemented in practice. In gation to develop programs and courses for FOR THE order not to prevent the exercising of the right language instruction of children and adults to housing, the MLSP has developed “Manda- wherein the participants will obtain formal tory instructions for determining the right to certification. FUTURE financial support needed to provide housing The persons with recognized refugee status, (Operational category: persons premises”. Entities responsible for the accom- in accordance with the Law on Employment living in accommodation intended modation of the recognized refugees are the and Work of Foreigners, may apply for personal for refugees, life situation: shelters local government units and the government. work permit for a period of one year, with the / temporary accommodation; In order to avoid a situation of statelessness, possibility of extension, and they are allowed general definition: refugees living the law allows the persons with recognized ref- to participate in the labour market, except for ugee status to acquire a Macedonian citizen- those job positions that require Macedonian in shelters or in temporary accom- ship through naturalization. More specifically, citizenship. The issuance of this permit is free modation centres because of their Macedonian citizenship is acquired if, as of of charge. refugee status) 54 55 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

Article 17 of the Law on Child Protection days. Then the UNHCR and various other or- fears the future because the contract for the with their children, they have refugee status. provides for a child benefit for foreigners, un- ganizations came and we signed a request to use of the housing which he had signed with During the preparation of the documentation der special conditions. enter Macedonia. They took us to Stenkovec the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has a they faced the problem of inability to submit and placed us in tents, where we stayed two validity period of five years. a birth certificate and no one has yet received or three months. Then we were transferred to an answer to their application. Three persons Struga, in the Majski Cvet resort and then they are married and have children; one person is Five years in built a camp for us in Shutka. After a while they ANALYSIS in a civil partnership and has five children; terminated the delivery of food and medical The following analysis refers to the question- and one person is separated from her hus- services, after which they told us that we must naire that analyses the situation with the per- band. Three persons have four children, one social housing. leave the camp. Since then we were staying in sons with recognized refugee status in Mace- person has five children, and one person has private accommodation in Shutka. The money donia, who are housed in social housing with nine children, but only four are currently living Then what? was provided by the UNHCR and we were pay- a five-year usage contract. The questionnaire with them. Almost all children are underage, ing electricity, water and rent - said B.M. aims to provide insight into the self-evaluation were born in Macedonia and have a birth cer- B.M. was born in Serbia, 42 years ago. He They used to live like this until a year ago. and self-perception of the persons, and is de- tificate, but not citizenship as well. One fam- has lived in Macedonia for about 17 years, but A monthly financial benefit of12,000 MKD had signed for the purposes of the research. The ily also has a daughter in law living with them, he does not have Macedonian citizenship. He been paid to them, which they used for their interviews were conducted in January 2016. i.e. the home is shared by eight persons. Two submitted an application in 2013, but he was utility bills, and some food. The analysis of the responses focused on persons have not completed any education, informed that he lacks some documents he - Since we have been accommodated in Viz- the needs of this focal group, the reasons that two persons have completed primary educa- needs to obtain in Kosovo. begovo we receive half the money we used to have led to the abandoning of their home and tion and one person has secondary education. He has five children with his unwedded wife because here we do not pay rent, plus 2,500 the side effects of the refugee status on their The interviewees come from several cities in and recently his son also married, so now, eight MKD for electricity. They were terminated too. physical and mental health, the satisfaction today’s Kosovo and in 1999, during the war, persons live in two rooms, allocated to them in And here they make us pay for the electricity. I with the living conditions in the country, the they came to Macedonia together with their the residential unit for refugees in Vizbegovo, don’t know, but there is a man upstairs, on the social housing, the relations with their families parents and families. In most of the cases under a five-year usage contract. second floor, and he was summoned to go to and friends, the treatment by the community they lived in rented accommodation in Shuto Of them, only one has a work placement (the court on the 10th of this month. EVN [Power and the institutions, as well as the vision for Orizari before moving to the social housing in oldest son). He says that they do not pay their Distribution and Supply Company] sued him – the future and the personal perspective on Vizbegovo. Only the parents of one person had bills because of lack of funds to cover that ex- explained B.M. and added that the living con- how to overcome the problem of their poten- returned to Kosovo, and he/she founded a fam- penditure, and they especially complain about ditions are bad and that the inhabitants of the tial homelessness in the future. ily and stayed in Macedonia. They were often the high electricity bills, which, according building are completely isolated, which further harassed by the environment and that is why to him, in winter are as high as 6,000 MKD/a complicates their lives. They said that because REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE they left. month. of the distance their children can no longer go Three women and two men were inter- - While we were in Shutka, we worked and we to school. viewed as part of the category of people with LIFE BEFORE LEAVING HOME managed somehow. And since we came here - He explained that in Macedonia he com- a recognized refugee status. The youngest in- When describing their life on Kosovo, they nobody knows us. We came to these fields here pleted a course to become a welder, but the terviewee was a female at the age of 32 and say it was decent. “Although we were poor, we and who can offer us a job here? In Shutka, we firm where he worked had closed down the the oldest interviewee was 59. The other three had a life“ – said a 59 year-old refugee. “In Koso- had a choice, we had freedom. If we did not business. persons are in their early forties. By ethnicity, vo we had our own house and we were employed like a place, we were renting elsewhere. Since He said that he would not leave the place of all persons are e-Roma, although one person in a private firm“– said a 43 year-old refugee. we moved into these flats, the situation has residence assigned to him by the MLSP in Viz- said she was Albanian, but since she is with her Some of them do not have a certificate for been getting worse and worse ... they are very begovo, because if he did, he would lose the husband she has been registered as Roma. All their ownership of the property, but even the small ... In Shutka we were living in a house for right to social welfare. However, he added that persons have documents issued by the Federal ones who do have such certificates would not 11 years. There were three rooms, plus a hall- the utility bills and the the overcrowded living Republic of Yugoslavia, but with registered go back to Kosovo. They said that their houses way and a terrace – recalls B.M. space are the most challenging issues for him. residence in Kosovo. They came to Macedonia are occupied by other families. “I want to go He and his wife came to Macedonia with two I don’t understand how the Ministry of Labour after the war in Kosovo in 1999. They have back to that house because I would feel freer children, after being forced to leave the house and Social Policy has never inspected who lives all applied for Macedonian citizenship. Some there. But, how can I go back? There are people in which they lived in Kosovo, where B.M. also here and what it is like to live here ... – said B.M. have been living in the country for 18 years there. We can’t go back. Nobody is going back. If I had a job in his relative’s company. They had His big desire is for his children to leave and some of them have applied for Mace- go there alone, they will kill me” - said a 40 year- three more children here. Macedonia and go somewhere in Europe, donian citizenship as late as 2013. Together old female refugee. - There were 500 of us, busses came and whereas he expects to get Macedonian citizen- took us to the border where we stayed for nine ship and stay here. However, he says that he 56 57 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

COMING TO MACEDONIA diseases of the heart and stomach, and they porary solution. We will have to leave this flat. I more help from the Ministry of Labour and So- - THE SUPPORT IN THE PAST AND TODAY also suffer from hypertension, diabetes and fear for my children and for their future” - said a cial Policy and possibilities to attend courses When they recall their early days in Mace- depression, as well as ordinary colds, as a re- 40 year-old female refugee. for some crafts. donia, they say that they were getting a lot of sult of their poor living conditions. They said As part of their life in Macedonia, the inter- In their vision for the future they all agree support. “It was very good in the past. We had that the Red Cross often provides the neces- viewees made friends and they have contacts that they want to stay in Macedonia. “There food and drinks, we had sufficient amounts of sary medicines. with their extended families: parents, children are no chances for our going back there“– said everything“– said a 40 year-old female refugee. and relatives. But, they point out that they a 40 year-old female refugee. However, they Some of them lived in collective centres and PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND have difficulties maintaining contact. They are pessimistic when it comes to the improve- in camps for three years and they had felt safe SOCIALIZATION IN THE COMMUNITY don’t think they are very well accepted by the ment of their situation. They would like to ob- and supported. Some of them remember that The lack of home, unemployment, over- wider community. They feel that they are re- tain Macedonian citizenship and enjoy all the they had been prevented in their intentions crowdedness of the home in conditions of jected and that they are not able to show and rights as citizens of this country. They want to to emigrate in Western Europe and they es- poor hygiene and unstable monthly income, use their capacities. They don’t have contacts have their own homes, possibility for employ- pecially remember the fact that some e-Roma are the most frequent problems of the inhab- with the institutions or the citizens’ organiza- ment, transportation for their children to the celebrities had lobbied among the refugees so itants of the social housing for refugees. The tions. They pointed out that the only organiza- school in Shuto Orizari, support for the chil- that they would stay in Macedonia. They were high debts for the electricity bills are an ad- tion that provides support to them is the Red dren with special needs in the form of ortho- accommodated in Shuto Orizari and in Jurum- ditional burden in their daily lives. Cross and that they expect more assistance paedic aids, speech therapists, etc. They think leri, and the rental and utility fees were cov- All persons use financial benefits the amount and understanding from the state institutions. that if they obtain citizenship it would help ered for them by the UNHCR. from 2,500 to 6,000 MKD and it is their only them solve their problems. “However, I doubt Unlike in 1999, the persons said that today, steady monthly income. However, they point- USEFULL SERVICES, that it is possible“ – said a 40 year-old female they live in very difficult conditions. “Now we ed out, that it is not enough to cover all the SOLUTIONS AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE refugee. They are aware of the uncertain fu- don’t have any support. At the moment we are needs of the families comprised of many mem- All persons are satisfied with the fact that ture, especially after the expiry of the social waiting for hygiene products. We don’t have any bers. Some of the children of the refugees they have “a roof over their head”, although housing usage contract, but they hope that shampoo or dishwashing liquid. We don’t get any were involved in programmes for subsidized they would like to have better living conditions the obtaining of a Macedonian passport will assistance“– said a 40 year-old female refugee. employment, but they were not employed (dampness, poor isolation). “It is nice to have a also enable them to leave the country. “Well, In the accommodation where they are placed after the end of the programme. Some of the roof over your head, but, if I could, I would like if you get citizenship you also get a passport and under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour women said that another reason why they do to buy a house because this is not a suitable ac- a right to travel. At least the children should go and Social Policy for a period of five years, they not work is the fact that there is no one who commodation for an extended family” – said a 59 and travel somewhere they will have a better life“ don’t need to pay rent, but they have an obli- would take care of their children. The everyday year-old refugee. They think that the positive – said a 43 year-old refugee. gation to cover the utility costs for the flat. At life of those whose financial benefits had been aspects include the support in food, clothes The interviewees had a neat appearance and the same time, reductions were made to the cancelled is even harder. Only one underage and medicines, which is provided by the Red showed readiness for cooperation. The linguis- financial support from the UNHCR and the so- child is going to school. “The school is too far for Cross. They do not have any other assistance, tic communication went with difficulties due cial welfare, which some of them receive, but the children and there is no transport provided although they need household items, clothes, to their insufficient knowledge of the Macedo- is insufficient to cover even for the electric- for them” – said a 32 year-old female refugee. blankets, etc. In winter, they also receive an al- nian language. Some of them looked tired and ity bills. Thus, some families live with discon- They also complained that they do not have lowance for firewood and the children some- older than their real age. nected power supply and in damp rooms. Ac- the support of the Social Works Centre, and times get a New Year’s presents. They expect cording to them, at the moment, only the Red that none of the institutions had inspected Cross provides donations. They said that both, or controlled their living conditions. They also then and today, they worked from time to time pointed to abuses of the housing rights of the Conclusion in order to be able to cover all the necessities refugees, because homeowners also use social Acquisition of citizenship and the entire spectre of human and civil rights, is the first step to- of life. “I collect cardboard boxes with my chil- housing. They think it is unfair to pay utility wards improvement of the situation of this category of people. Otherwise, their uncertain fu- dren and I sell them in order to provide bread for fees in social housing for refugees, because ture becomes even more difficult. This target group needs employment support, organized in my family. My husband collects cardboard boxes, they are not able to earn money and pay the the form of trainings for further qualification or requalification (including also learning the local I collect cardboard boxes – that’s how we live“– monthly expenditures. languages) or direct access to state and private companies which would be subsidized in case of said a 40 year-old female refugee. Some of them feel homeless. “Uncertainty their employment. For that purpose, they need a work permit and assistance in the administra- All persons have health insurance and a makes me feel as a kind of a homeless person“ – tive procedure for its obtaining. The employment and the steady revenues are a primary step in health care card. Also, they regularly have said a 32 year-old female refugee. their transition towards life outside the institutions. In addition, anti-discrimination and anti- medical check-ups, but they said that they They all fear for the future and what will stereotyping programmes should be developed, that would ensure their more successful social do not have money to pay for the prescribed happen after five years, when their social integration. medicines. Some of them suffer from chronic housing usage contracts expire. “This is a tem- 58 59 6.2.4 HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS CATEGORY 6 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

According to the Law on Social Protection of certain categories of persons. The children (Official Gazette, No. 148/13), the persons at without parents or parental care - persons old- social risk have the right to services and sup- er than 18 years, who until the age of eighteen port, such as: first social service that includes were living in institutions or in other forms of identification of a problem that arises from a care for children without parents are one of certain social risk, informing the user of the the target groups. Coordinator of this project possible solutions, services and resources for is the Ministry of Transport and Communica- protection, the respective institutional net- tions, in cooperation with the inter-municipal work (Article 27), as well as the counselling centres for social work, and it is implemented services available to the individual (Article 28) by the Joint Stock Company for Construction and professional assistance to the family (Ar- and Management of Residential and Com- ticle 29). The measures and the activities are mercial Properties of importance for the Re- implemented in the centres for social work in public of Macedonia - Skopje. The project is cooperation with the municipality, the City of co-financed by the Council of Europe Develop- Skopje and the municipalities in Skopje, the ment Bank42. In accordance with Article 11 of preschool, school, and health institutions and the Law on Social Protection, the municipal- the other state bodies and institutions, legal ity, the City of Skopje and the municipalities in entities, individuals and associations. Accord- Skopje ensure the implementation of the so- ingly, the persons who, at the time of leaving a cial protection of the children without parents penal and correctional institution, do not have and parental care. Additionally, the continua- a home should be advised by the centres for tion of the education of the persons who until social work about their housing options. the age of 18 had the status of children with- In terms of the persons who were residents out parents and parental care at the higher of an institution for children without parental education institutions is also encouraged with care, opportunities have been stipulated for financial aid. The financial aid for university Do their use of social housing, as well as financial aid studies is 12,000 MKD per month if the person before turning 26 years of age. The exercising uses rented social housing, i.e. 24,000 MKD per of the right to financial aid by a person who by month if the person does not use rented social rights exist 43 the age of 18 had the status of a child without housing . parents and parental care refers to those who In terms of the persons who are placed in only on do not have income and property from which health and other institutions, in accordance they can support themselves by the time they with Article 178 of the Law on the Family paper? are 26. The amount of the financial aid is 4,156 (Official Gazette of the RM, No. 153/14), the MKD for an unemployed person and 5,600 MKD support by the family members and other rela- 6.1. Life situation: penal and correctional for a full-time student41 . The project Social tives is their right and the duty and obligation institutions; general definition: absence of buildings for Socially Vulnerable Groups is infor the support are also applicable to other available home prior to the release from the tended to provide access to adequate housing direct relatives, as well as to siblings. In cases institution and fight against poverty and social exclusion where mutual support of family members and 6.2. Life situation: health care institutions (including centres for rehabilitation of addicts, psychiatric hospitals); general defini- 41 Project “We care“: National programmes and benefits within the social protection system in the Republic of Macedonia tion: staying in the institution longer than 2013: Exercising the right to financial welfare by a person who by the age of 18 had the status of a child without parents and parental care. Available at: http://creativa5.com/dev/giz/node/77 [28.02.2016] necessary due to the lack of a home 6.3. Life situation: institutions for children/ 42 Project “We care“: National programmes and benefits within the social protection system in the Republic of Macedonia homes; general definition: does not have an 2013: Social buildings for the socially vulnerable groups. Available at: http://creativa5.com/dev/giz/node/1 [28.02.2016] identified home (for example, before the age 43 Project “We care“: National programmes and benefits within the social protection system in the Republic of Macedonia of 18) 2013: Financial welfare for university studies of persons who by the age of 18 had the status of children without parents and parental care. Available at: http://creativa5.com/dev/giz/node/60 [28.02.2016] 60 61 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

other relatives cannot be ensured in whole or the homes for retirees, but at the moment, REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE providing for himself since he had left the in- in part, the Republic of Macedonia shall pro- as she said, there is a long waiting list for the In the category of people soon to be released stitution. They expect to get social housing vide the means necessary for subsistence of state-owned nursing homes, and she cannot from prison, health or other institutions, inter- for rent, but they are facing difficulties in exer- the unsecured family members, under condi- afford the private ones. views were conducted with seven men and one cising this right. The interviewees come from tions determined in accordance with the law. On the other hand, the hospital staff ex- woman. The youngest interviewee was at the several cities in Macedonia and they are cur- In accordance with Article 179, if an adult is plained that it is often that homes or other in- age of 17 and the oldest was 65. One person rently placed or live in Skopje. Among the four unable to work due to illness or a physical or stitutions have a problem with the acceptance was in the late adolescent years, two persons persons who are not placed in a psychiatric psychological problem, and he/she does not of persons who have been discharged from a were in their late twenties, one person was in institution, two have health insurance, while have sufficient means of livelihood and can- psychiatric hospital. his early thirties and two persons were in their two are unable to regularly report to the social not obtain them from his/her property, the Because of her situation, T.A. had more than fifties. By ethnicity, five persons are e-Mace- services in their home cities and they have lost parents are obliged to support such person one suicide attempt. donians, two are e-Roma and one person is e- their right to health care. One of them uses a throughout the duration of the inability. Oth- Turk. All the interviewees have a Macedonian homelessness certificate, which is accepted by erwise, the obligation for support falls on oth- birth certificate and citizenship. Some per- some doctors, while the other person explains er direct relatives, as well as on the siblings. Analysis sons do not have identification documents (ID that he had a hard time saving in order to get The following analysis refers to a question- or passport), one person said that his ID card a birth certificate and a citizenship document naire which analyses the situation of people is issued to the address of his sister, while an- and is unable to do the same to obtain a medi- I had to get drunk soon to be released from prison, health or other person lost the documents when he lost cal ID card as well. Some of them complain other institutions. It analyses the situation of his home. One person lives in civil partnership about occasional health problems, but they do to be admitted people in the following categories of institu- and has a 20 month-old baby that lives with his not have chronic illnesses. tions: penal and correctional institutions, psy- relatives. Five persons are single and have no to a psychiatric chiatric hospitals and institutions for children children and one person is a widow with two INSTITUTIONAL LIFE AND UNCERTAINTY without parental care. These target groups adult children. Only one person is married and AFTER LEAVING THE INSTITUTION are at risk of homelessness because often, be- has two adult children, one of whom is living in One person has been placed in a psychiatric hospital fore leaving the institution, they do not have the SOS Children’s’ Village and the other had institution for less than one year, another one a home, as is the case with the children with- left that institution and is living independently for two years, a third person for three years, M.A. has been staying in a psychiatric hospi- out parents and parental care, who by their in a rented accommodation. Three persons with occasional breaks and one person has tal for a whole year now, and her stay here has 18th birthday should leave the institution and have incomplete primary education, two have been “living” in the hospital for over 15 years. been prolonged as she has nowhere to return they do not have an identified home or they completed a primary school, one has complet- One person has repeatedly stayed in the in- to. stay in the institution longer due to the lack ed secondary education in duration of 3 years stitution. As a result of divorce and financial She is a former user of the services of the of a home. The questionnaire aims to provide and two have completed vocational school. debts he had lost his home and was living on hospital and she decided to knock on its door insight into the self-evaluation and self-per- One person was recently released from prison, the street for some time, and then he was once again, because she thought it was her ception of the persons, and is designed for the but he is expecting to be arrested again for placed in a psychiatric hospital for four years. only chance to get a roof over her head after purposes of this research. The interviews were another offense. Meanwhile, he has no home Now, together with his current wife, he has a long period of suffering domestic violence. conducted in the period between September and he is living on the street with his unwed been staying in the institution for two years. - When he would win at the gambling table, 2015 and February 2016. Two interviews were wife. Four people are placed in a psychiatric Two other persons had been placed in differ- the situation was bearable. When he would conducted over the phone, and the others hospital. One person is a convict in a juvenile ent health or other penal and correctional in- lose - he was throwing me outside like a rag were conducted in direct contact with the in- prison and during the permitted absences he is stitutions. One of them had been placed in a and then I was sleeping in garages. My doctor terviewees in Skopje. living with his mother, stepfather and brother, psychiatric institution for seven months and, didn’t want to give me a referral for this hospi- The analysis of the responses takes into ac- although he had previously been placed in an after he went to his sister with the discharge tal because I no longer had a problem with al- count the needs of this focal group, the rea- institution for children without parents and list, he was once again brought to the psychi- cohol. So, I intentionally got drunk in order to sons that have led to the loss of home, the parental care. Two children without parents atric institution where he has been staying come here, so that they would admit me. That life in and outside the institution, the risk of and parental care had left the institutional for 15 years now. He does not have a home seemed like the only solution for me - said M.A. homelessness, the social relations with the care when they turned 18 and currently do not because his parents’ home was sold without In the last month, the hospital has increas- families and friends, the treatment by the have a home. One of them, along with several his consent. Another person had been placed ingly insisted that she should leave and she community and the institutions, as well as the persons from the institution, was placed in a in an institution for care, upbringing and edu- sees a gloomy future for her because, as she vision for the future and the personal perspec- residence with compensation for the rent cov- cation of children and young people for three says, they can discharge her any time. tive on how to overcome the housing problem ered by the state, but due to the psychological years and in an institution for children with M.A. has a pension, which she uses to repay of these focal groups. pressure and mistreatment by his roommates, social and behavioural problems for another a loan. She would like to be placed in one of was forced to leave. Another person has been three years, and he had used the services of 62 63 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

the station for homeless persons of the Red that he would get another opportunity to be to properly function in the institution and in of a psychiatric institution. It is important that Cross and he slept in improvised dwellings, hired as a seller of the Face to Face magazine. the society. “Since they found the therapy which these persons are in need of socialization, par- such as garages, cardboard houses, etc. He is right for me, everything is all right” – said a ticularly outside the institution. was under the guardianship of his relative, but PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND SOCIALIZATION 50 year-old inpatient of a psychiatric institu- The person who has been released from a after her death he stayed on the street. While IN AND OUT OF THE INSTITUTION tion. “With regular therapy, the situation is penal and correctional institution also does he was working for some time he was able to Although they are different in their charac- under control,” said a 31 year-old inpatient of not have a wide network of social contacts. cover the rent for his residence. He was staying teristics and capabilities, the thing in common a psychiatric institution. The hospital staff He is spending his time with his wife and with with his brother for just four months, but he for these three categories of people is that considers that they are ready for independent other homeless persons. “With the homeless was told to leave. their leaving the institution would mean fall- life outside the institution. But, some of them, people, I can talk about my problems frankly. An inmate in a juvenile prison comes from ing into homelessness. The persons released despite the absence of medical indications, They understand me and the situation I am in. a dysfunctional family and he had previously from a penal and correctional institution need voluntarily accept their stay in the psychiatric Maybe they cannot help me, but at least they un- been placed in an institution for children with- to have a secured home, which is provided in institution. “I don’t have a home,” - said a 65 derstand me. They advise me where it is safer to out parents and parental care. His brothers cooperation with the centres for social work, year-old inpatient of a psychiatric institution sleep” said a 27 year-old former prisoner. For and his sister are also placed in institutions but it is obvious that this system of institu- who is unable to live with her adult children him, getting food on a daily level is also a chal- for foster care or in foster families. His family tional communication and coordination has with whom she has disrupted family relations. lenge. “I go to the doors of the people and beg. I (mother, stepfather and one brother) live in its flaws. The persons who have been placed in Among the residents of a psychiatric institu- eat only if people give me food” - said a 27 year- rented room with substandard conditions. The psychiatric institutions for proper treatment, tion, two are recipients of a pension and one old former prisoner. room has a toilet, but no water and electricity. as a result of the rejection by their families, is a recipient of financial welfare. The other The interviewees who have left a home for The family “earns” at the traffic lights. He had do not leave them even after long years since persons do not have a steady monthly income. children without parental care say that they also lived on the streets, in improvised card- the need for their institutional treatment has The person who has been released from a communicate only with their friends, but not board dwellings or on occupied land. ended. Some persons consider the institution- penal and correctional institution is without with the staff of the institution in which they The two persons who abandoned the insti- al care as the only available form of housing a job and a steady monthly income. The per- were accommodated by the age of 18. They tutional housing on their 18th birthday live in and they are ready to repeat the offenses for sons who have left the institution for children communicate and support the former resi- apartments of their friends, who were willing which they had previously been treated in a without parental care work in discotheques, dents of the institution, but they also make to help them because they do not have ac- psychiatric institution just to have “a roof over without pay, just for tips, which at a monthly new friendships. They consider that the insti- commodation. For this, they do not pay any their head.” The two interviewees who by the level amount up to 12,000 MKD, which should tution does not prepare them for independent compensation and they do not participate in age of 18 had been placed in institutions for cover all their living expenses. None of them is life. Although they are familiar with their obli- the payment of some of the living expenses. children without parental care, after leaving a beneficiary of social welfare, primarily due to gation to leave the institution, they say that This lasts for a longer period of time, up to five the institution have been facing difficulties the fact that they are not able to report to the support is needed in the process of adjustment years. in exercising their right to subsidized hous- employment office in their hometowns every to the life outside the institution. “I started fac- The person who was recently released from ing and housing allowance, and are forced to month. ing some things in life on my own. No one from prison is homeless and sleeps on the street, on seek alternative ways of housing, which usually The rejection by their families brings great the home told me what should be done and how a park bench together with his partner, but involves shared housing in the homes of their sorrow for them. “I love my sister, despite every- to do it“- said a 29 year-old young man who was he expects to be taken to prison again. He friends. thing. I am trying to find a way to make things a resident of an institution for children with- grew up in an institution for children without Divorce, death of a spouse, disrupted family right, but with no success. She hasn’t come to out parents and parental care.”Instead of leav- parents and parental care and he spent some relationships, psychological stress and loss of the hospital in 15 years. It is a long period of time ing the home with a calm head, they force you...” time in an institution for care, upbringing and a job, financial debts and mortgages are some during which a person can set up a family,” said - he continued. Their communication with the education of children and young adults. He of the reasons why the persons had lost their a 50 year-old inpatient of a psychiatric insti- other institutions is also not positive. They cannot live with his poor relatives for whom he homes or had failed to return to their home tution. “My brother comes to visit me once in a face institutional obstacles in exercising their would be additional burden and he is grateful after their stay in a psychiatric institution. The few weeks. He brings me two packs of cigarettes, right to social housing for rent. “I applied for so- that they are taking care of his child. “Now I’m individual life stories of the persons who do some waffles, and that’s it. The only thing my sis- cial housing in the Gjorce Petrov settlement, but not staying anywhere, I’m literally on the street” – not have a home once their institutional care ter did was send me 50 Euros once,” – said a 31 I was rejected because in my ID card the stated said the 27 year-old former prisoner. He hopes has ended are filled with uncertainty, stress, year-old inpatient of a psychiatric institution. place of residence is the centre for social work in to move in the illegally built house/room that violence, suicide attempts, and also sorrow “I don’t hear from my daughter and my sister. another municipality” - said a 29 year-old young has no electricity and water and that belonged due to the rejection by their families and the They don’t call. I haven’t hurt anyone, nor have I man who was a resident of an institution for to a homeless man that recently died. He was society. offended them or done or said something bad to children without parents and parental care. sentenced to prison for thefts. “I was breaking The persons who are in a psychiatric insti- them. My son called me once on the phone and “I am stuck in the administrative labyrinths, in trailers for food and clothes and I was occa- tution are aware of their health problems and told me: ‘I look like you dad! ‘I look like you dad!‘ and when I turn to the Centre for Social Works sionally sleeping there” - he added. He hopes they accept the prescribed therapy as a way And that was it”- said a 50 year-old inpatient about that issue they tell me they don’t know 64 65 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

what I should do. The director tells me that he home discourages those who are released where to stay. “If I leave here, where would I go?” dress the problems like mine. It should be a place can help me only with social welfare” - he added. from the penal and correctional institutions - asked rhetorically a 50 year-old inpatients where these people will openly talk about their Another person also faces similar bureaucratic to continue leading a life which will not take of a psychiatric institution. They think that problems and find ways to overcome them. Hav- obstacles, and he cannot exercise the right them back to the institutions. homelessness is the hardest thing that can ing an association to support you and dealing to social housing for rent. “The thing is that The unstable funding sources, unemploy- happen to a person and the very thought of it with a problem alone are two totally different we’re not from Skopje, we are waiting and can- ment or insecure employment prevents them inspires fear, anxiety and helplessness. things. I can’t achieve anything alone” - said a 29 not even get an ID card. I’m from Kavadarci and to plan their further life. “I manage somehow, year-old former resident of an institution for even if they offered me a flat in that city, I’ve been I loan money from some acquaintances. I have USEFULL SERVICES, children without parents and parental care. here for a very long time and would not go back debts, I know, but now, at the moment I’m not in SOLUTIONS AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE They consider that a more humane attitude there!” - said the 19 year-old former resident of a position to repay them. Previously, I was able to In their vision for the future, all the inter- towards these target groups is necessary, with an institution for children without parents and earn by selling a street magazine and cardboard viewees said that they would like to have more understanding and care by the institu- parental care. boxes, but now I’m not. I don’t even have the cart their own home. They would like to get a job tions and the community. Other persons also did not receive institu- in which I was collecting cardboard boxes - said in order to be able to live a life independent They need more information about the ac- tional support in the past, and if they did, it a 27 year-old former prisoner.”I used to work from the institutions, on their own or with cess to work and how to exercise the right to would have enabled them to save their fami- in one of the largest markets for food, I came to their families. They would also like to set up a accommodation and housing allowance which lies. “After they evicted us from the flat we lit- work late and I was fired after three months”- family. They believe that they should have ac- is stipulated for the persons who are leaving erally had nowhere to go. There was nothing we said a 29 year-old young man who was a resi- cess to social housing or to other institutions an institution for children without parents or could do but take the children to an institution dent of an institution for children without par- for the elderly without being stigmatized and parental care. They expect greater flexibility for children without parental care. I went to the ents and parental care. restricted when it comes to the use of these of the institutions. They consider it unfair to Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Transport and For the persons who are placed in a psy- services due to their previous institutional- be relocated to their home towns when they Communications ... but nobody did anything. In chiatric hospital, the need for socialization is ized life or because of their place of origin. have been living in Skopje from the age of five. the Centre for Social Work they told me that we dominant in their perception of a better life. The persons who lived without parents and The interviewees had a neat appearance were not a social case “- said a 50-year old inpa- They feel lonely and isolated. The stigmatiza- parental care think that they need to form an and showed readiness for cooperation. The tient of a psychiatric institution. A 17 year-old tion of the families of people with psychologi- association which would advocate for their linguistic communication went without any resident of an institution for children without cal problems makes their immediate families rights. “We need an association that would ad- difficulties. parents and parental care has a similar opin- and relatives rarely visit them. A 51 year-old in- ion about the institutions. “We were convicted patient of a psychiatric institution said: “I don’t in Veles and I have been there for six months now. need anything. I just want to be able to contact I need to stay there for another year. They can with my sister. I want her to talk to me and not reduce the sentence, but only with a lawyer, and to be at odds with me.” “I miss having a social I only have a lawyer appointed by the state. He is life. This normal conversation I had with you will totally not interested in my case, he said that I get me going for 15 days” - said a 50 year-old in- would end up in prison and that was it, he didn’t patient of a psychiatric institution. Some feel even defend me “- he added. forgotten by the institutions and the centres The lack of housing is the main problem of for social work. They even believe that the life this target group. It prevents the inpatients of in an institution is not great, but it is the best health institutions to lead an independent life option they have at the moment. “You should outside the institutions. According to the hos- consider that you are alone in your life” - said a pital staff, the persons should have been dis- 19 year-old former resident of an institution missed from the institutions many years ago for children without parents and parental because with the appropriate therapy they care. Some of them were helped by individuals are ready to fend for themselves. Also, some in difficult life situations, such as covering the of the former residents of the institutions for costs for a surgery. children without parents and parental care They think that the wider community is not are facing administrative obstacles in exercis- very understanding of their situation, and it ing their social rights to get housing for rent stigmatizes, criticizes or condemns them. in terms of which a necessary requirement is Some of the persons feel homeless or at risk to be a resident of the municipality where the of homelessness. They are aware that if they person applies for housing. The absence of a leave the institution they would not have any- 66 67 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential 6.3 POTENTIAL HOMELESSNESS Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

6.3.1 potential homelessness category 8

Conclusion The characteristics of this category of persons indicate a need of different sets of programs and services which are necessary for improvement of the quality of their lives. For the persons who have been placed in psychiatric institutions for many years, and who do not have their own home or a possibility to be accommodated with a relative, it is necessary to provide an opportunity for independent or shared non-institutional housing, which would be fully or partially covered by government/local funds. Some of these persons are not fully capable of independent life, so extra care can be provided in order to help them in their everyday lives and to gradually work on the increasing of their capacity to manage a household. In terms of their employment, it is necessary to think of alternative employment measures. The benefits offered by the government for subsidized employment of people with intellectual incapacity are going in that direction, but a system is necessary for monitoring and evaluation of the usefulness of these measures, especially in view of the findings for their abuse by the employers. It is necessary to integrate these persons in the regular labour market by respecting their capabilities. For those who use the institutional accommodation in order to “have a roof over their head” it is necessary to design a more coherent system of social measures which will enable independent extra-institutional housing. The persons who have been released from a penal and correctional institution should be provided with housing. In addition, the institutions should be involved in their employment, in case ALL STARTS of an absence longer than six months, or they should provide welfare packages which would temporarily help them in the reintegration and prevention of the risk for them to return to the institution. The chances for recurrence are biggest in the period after the release from the in- WITH A SAFE stitution, and thus it is necessary to provide better system for assistance of these persons. The families of these persons should also be in the focus of the services, especially if the person who ROOF OVER was in a penal and correctional institution was the provider of the household budget, even if it was as part of the informal labour market. The state provides use of social housing and encourages the employment of the persons who YOUR HEAD have left an institution for children without parent and parental care through several projects. However, the system also has administrative and bureaucratic obstructions when it comes to the Operational category: people living exercising of the social rights. This category of persons requires flexibility, especially in view of in insecure housing the fact that for many years their social relations were built in one environment and, for them, its leaving would mean losing both the community of social support and the socio-cultural capital. These persons should be also encouraged to continue their education through scholarships and 8.1. Living situation: temporary accommodation subsidized use of dormitories (or, as it is exercised now, through financial assistance), especially in with relatives and close friends; general definition: view of the fact that this category of persons is characterized by low level of education and has living in conventional housing that does not belong limited possibilities for integration in the labour market. to the person, is not his/her permanent place of In terms of the community and the society, programs are necessary for overcoming the stigma- residence and the person stays there due to lack of tization, for psychosocial assistance and individual work with the persons who are struggling with a place of residence. addiction, for mentorship and for assistance of the persons who are starting an independent life 8.2. Living situation: living without a legal (sub) at the age of 18. Also, programs are necessary for overcoming the discrimination and exclusion lease contract; general definition: usurpation of a of these persons from the labour market. Bigger involvement of the local governments and the residence without lease documentation. municipalities is needed in the social protection of these persons and in the creation of local 8.3. Living situation: usurpation of land; general assistance programs based on partnerships with the civil society and the business community. definition: a home built on usurped land. 68 69 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

According to the data of the State Statisti- building which is subject to legalization had possession of the apartment is returned to the but they were paying the bills. When the old cal Office, in the course of 2014, 1,075 illegally been constructed before 3 March, 2011. institution48. woman died, their big problems started. They constructed buildings were registered on the In terms of social housing, until March 2015, Of note is that this category of people often rented an apartment, and for some time they territory of the Republic of Macedonia, of which 1,600 persons had not resolved the issue of coincides with the people living in unconven- also lived in a house that a merciful man al- 18.2% are used for housing: residential, busi- purchase or lease of these flats and 900 people tional buildings and temporary structures, i.e. lowed them to use. After her husband died, she ness-residential and holiday homes. Of these, do not possess a document for allocation or Category 11 of the ETHOS. During the classifi- continued to wander the streets and change two buildings are owned by the state44. Com- have moved in illegally. In other words, about cation, the research team was guided by the her place of residence. pared to 2013 when 1,275 buildings when reg- 2,500 flats are used illegally. In addition, there primary feature of the home, i.e. whether it is B.V. explains that on Fridays she goes to the istered, of which 19.4% were used for housing, are about 800 apartments of people with low built on an occupied land (Category 8.3), and station for homeless people in Momin Potok the number of illegally constructed buildings incomes. The total number, which also in- whether the living conditions are substandard where she gets food and can take a bath, and decreased. One illegally constructed building cludes the apartments for officials and state- (Category 11). on other days she is at the market in Bunjak- is owned by the state45. When it comes to the owned flats for other purposes, is 5,173 flats ovec where she is helping the sellers. She says illegally constructed buildings that are exclu- that are to get an owner and the application that for her labour she receives from 100 to sively intended for housing purposes, in 2014, deadline was until the end of March 201547. A room is all I 200 MKD per day and sometimes the sellers most of them were identified in the Municipal- Eviction procedure is initiated when the per- also give her food. ity of Lipkovo (22 buildings), while 69 buildings son fails to conclude a lease or purchase con- After her husband died, she is also getting were identified on the territory of the City of tract or the Ministry of Transport and Com- need! his pension of 7,450 MKD. - While he was alive, he didn’t manage to Skopje (most of them in the municipalities of munications has rejected the request and the Before getting married, B.V. had a nice get a pension, the documents were completed Cair and Karpos - 18 buildings in each of them). person is no longer entitled to use the flat. and normal life in the Skopje’s settlement of before he died – recounts B.V., saying that she In 2013 as well, most of these buildings were Pursuant to Article 87 of the Law on Housing Taftalidze, together with her parents and her sees herself as a homeless person in the future identified in the Municipality of Lipkovo (37 (Official Gazette of the RM, 99/2009), when a two brothers. as well because she can’t see an exit from her buildings), while 36 buildings were identified person moves in a flat without a lease contract - In 1996 I got married, and then my broth- situation. Her response to the question of how on the territory of the City of Skopje (most of or without other legal grounds, the owner has ers got married. The house is small and there she would solve the problem of homelessness them in the municipalities of Butel -15 build- the right to repossess the apartment with per- was no room for me. By 1996 I had everything is short: ings and Chair-12 buildings). mitted self-help. As part of the JS Company for I needed – explains our interlocutor, who says A room. I don’t need anything else. A room In the area of legal uncertainty, which also Construction and Management of Residential that she now visits her relatives in the house and a bathroom. implies social exclusion in terms of housing, and Commercial Properties, of importance to she was born in, and they are helping her with according to the Agency For Real Estate Ca- the state a Commission was established within food and money. ANALYSIS dastre, 144,957 illegally constructed buildings 30 days as of the establishment of the need Currently, she is living in her friend’s home 46 The following analysis refers to the ques- were registered . for self-help, which initiates a procedure with in the Skopje settlement of Avtokomanda, to- tionnaire that analyzes the situation with The Law on Treatment of Illegally Con- a notary and an enforcement officer and the gether with her sick mother. persons living in insecure housing: tempo- structed Buildings (Official Gazette of the RM eviction is performed. If they do not move out The sixty-year-old B.V. says she has been rary accommodation with relatives and close 23/11) offers an opportunity for legalization of within 30 days with self-help, a court proceed- staying there for three days, where previously friends; housing without a (sub) lease contract the illegal buildings until 31 March, 2016 and ing is initiated. In accordance with the law, she had lived in Shutka for five months. She and usurpation of land with a built home. The for submission of the geodetic surveys until 31 they are to be previously notified, within eight was accommodated by a family there. questionnaire aims to provide insight into the December, 2016. The legalization request is to days, to voluntarily vacate the flat. The court - I realized they were not able to take care of self-evaluation and self-perception of the per- be submitted to the municipality where the proceedings results in a final eviction judg- me as well, so I left - said B.V., adding that she sons, and is designed for the purposes of this building was constructed, provided that the ment and, through an enforcement officer, the plans to rent a room for herself. research. The interviews were conducted in Two years ago, her husband, with whom she the period between August 2015 and January shared her life journey, died. She tells that 2016 in Skopje, Tetovo and Kumanovo. Two 44 State Statistical Office: Illegally constructed buildings on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, 2014 [release] they first lived in a rented apartment with interviews were conducted by telephone. The Available at: http://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/2015/6.1.15.47.pdf [02.03.2016] the money from a sold apartment which was interviewees come from Skopje, Gostivar, Ku- divided among her husband and his two broth- 45 manovo and Prilep. One person from Gostivar State Statistical Office: Illegally constructed buildings on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, 2013 [release] ers. For some time they lived with a woman Available at: http://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/2014/6.1.14.48.pdf [02.03.2016] temporarily lives in Tetovo and the interview they were looking after instead of paying rent, was conducted there. 46 Reply from the Cadastre of the RM sent for the purposes of this research

47 TELEGRAF: STATE-OWNED FLATS: Purchase or lease by March 2015 or eviction. Available at: http://www.telegraf.mk/ 48 Reply from the JS Company for Construction and Management of Residential and Commercial Properties of importance aktuelno/ns-newsarticle-227046-opstestveni-stanovi-otkup-ili-zakup-do-mart-2015-ili-prisilno-iseluvanje.nspx [02.03.2016] to the state, sent for the purposes of this research 70 71 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

The analysis of the responses focused on infrastructure (water, electricity),while three to termination of employment, has not man- a residence and those living in illegal buildings the needs of this focal group, the reasons that persons are temporarily staying with their aged to register as unemployed and failed to suggest that their biggest problems are the have led to the loss of their home and the side relatives and friends. Three persons have had obtain health insurance. Most of the interview- substandard living conditions. effects of the insecure housing on their physi- a long-term insecure housing for as long as 20 ees feel physically healthy and had underwent Among the persons who are temporarily cal and mental health, their social relations years. Of these, one person was homeless to- no medical examination during the past year. housed with friends or relatives, one person with their families, friends and other homeless gether with her partner with whom she shared Some have chronic diseases due to poor and is a beneficiary of financial welfare and one people, the treatment by the community and her everyday problems, but he died and now irregular diet, alcohol consumption, asthma, person receives pension. The other persons do the institutions, as well as the vision for the she is dealing with the situation alone. Three or hypertension. One person, who at a low not have a steady monthly income. Their oc- future and the personal perspective on how to persons use the Friday services of the shelter temperature protested against the eviction casional earnings are from collection of plas- overcome the problem of homelessness. for the homeless in Momin Potok. decision, says that his health is beginning to tic bottles, digging, construction activities, Among the persons residing without a lease deteriorate. and unloading, street sales of the Face to Face REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE contract, two are divorced and one is a single magazine. “If you don’t eat too much, you’ll have A total of 13 persons were interviewed as mother of an underage daughter. Of these, REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS, PROBLEMS, enough” - said a 35-year-old man living in the part of the category of people living in insecure two persons have completed higher education NEEDS AND SOCIALIZATION rented dwelling of his sisters. One woman who housing. Of these, two women and three men and one person has graduated from college. Divorce, domestic violence, divorced or is a victim of domestic violence has no income are temporarily accommodated with relatives Two persons have been living in an usurped deceased parents and disrupted family rela- and is unemployed. The relative of one of the or friends. Two men and one woman usurp a residence for a long period of time: six or tions are the main reasons why the persons persons receives remuneration for guardian- residence without legal documents for lease. seven years, and one person has been living in leave their homes and ask for the help of their ship. Among those who have illegally occupied Three men and two women live in homes that an usurped residence for about a year. Accord- friends and relatives. “I left so that the situation a residence, one person haspermanent month- are illegally built on a land, without ownership ing to the words of the single mother with a wouldn’t worsen. I didn’t want to cause a bigger ly income, while the other two persons occa- documents. The youngest interviewee was at child, she had usurped an apartment of 40 m2 problem”- said a 41 year-old man who lives in sionally earn from manual work and are not the age of 17 and the oldest was 59. One per- in public ownership and she filed a request for the holiday home of his friends. One person, social aid beneficiaries. Among those living in son is in the early twenties, two persons are in its purchase. However, despite the unresolved after the death of the parents, has been living an illegally built home, two persons use finan- their early thirties and one person is in the late situation, before the end of 2015, the power in with a relative and is not afraid of losing the cial welfare, one woman has no income and thirties. Four persons are in their early forties the apartment was cut and she currently lives home. one person earns by selling the Face to Face and three persons are in their early fifties. By in substandard conditions. Another person is Divorce and leaving the home where they magazine. The family budget is rarely supple- ethnicity, four are e-Macedonians, seven are living in the unfinished buildings of the FIKOM lived with their partner are the reasons why mented with financial support from relatives e-Roma, one is e-Albanian and one is e-Serb. Company in Kisela Voda. According to him, the the persons decided to move in somewhere il- or occasional manual work. The beneficiaries All but one person have birth certificate and police are also aware of that, but they don’t legally. They are most heavily burdened by lack of financial welfare agree that it is insufficient citizenship of the Republic of Macedonia. One cause him any trouble. He has no access to wa- of funds and lack of home. “I would be satisfied to cover all the necessities of life and they are person declared that the personal documents ter, electricity and a toilet, and there is only a even with a cabin,” - says a 35 year-old man often forced to make their children work. thereof have been destroyed, and another de- stove for heating and a bed, which he brought. who is temporarily living with his sisters. When None of the persons has been housed in a clared having no ID. The third person lives in a basement with no it comes to food, they get by or receive help social institution. “I’ve been to Cicino Selo, I’ve Among the persons who are temporarily access to water, toilet or heating. from their neighbours and the people they oc- seen it, and I wouldn’t go there. The conditions housed with relatives or friends, one person is Among those who usurp land with an ille- casionally work for and who, instead of with are horrible”- said a 41-year-old man who lives married, but has been the victim of domestic gally built home, three are married and have money pay them in-kind. They point out that in the holiday home of his friends. violence and is not placed in a shelter centre, children, one has an underage unmarried wife often there is no place in the community food Some women who were victims of domestic nor has she reported the case to the police and and a child, and one lives in a civil partnership. centres and that in case of long-term health violence addressed the centres for social work currently she is separated from her husband. Two persons have not completed any educa- problems they are unable to cover their treat- and the NGOs several times, but they have not Two persons are not married and live alone, tion, while three have incomplete primary edu- ment costs. Only one person, who does not received any structural aid. Only few persons one person is separated from his wife and chil- cation and have learned a trade by themselves feel at risk of losing the home, did not mention receive donations from friends and relatives. dren, and one person is widowed. One person (car mechanic, house painter, etc.). All persons any specific problems arising from the accom- Some of the persons feel homeless or think has completed secondary education, one a vo- live in solid constructions, but in multi-mem- modation with a relative. One person who has there is a risk for them to become homeless. cational school and three persons have com- ber families. They have access to water and illegally occupied a residence suggests that Homelessness means wandering the streets and pleted primary education. One person has a electricity, which are illegally installed, but she is battling the state institutions in order having nowhere to stay” – said a 59 year-old who long-term accommodation with a relative who they lack a toilet or use an improvised outdoor to be able to buy the apartment, but for 11 has been homeless for a long time and who is is a beneficiary of social aid for guardianship; toilet. months there has been no positive response to temporarily accommodated by a friend. Some one person has been using the holiday home All persons except one have health insur- any of her requests or to the sent documenta- said that sharing their accommodation with of his friends for 12 years, which has no basic ance and a health care card. One person, due tion. The persons who have illegally occupied relatives is a burden and nuisance for them. 72 73 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

“I feel uncomfortable because both in my sister’s “The state is promoting giving birth to more In their vision for the future, they all agreed sides with relatives, thinks the homelessness place and in the homes of other people I can hear: children on the one hand, and on the other it that they need a home. “The most important could be solved. Construction and use of so- That’s enough, now you should go! “ – said a 35 is making them live on the street” – said a 42 thing is to have a roof over your head. It all cial flats for those who do not have their home year-old man who lives with his sisters. Among year-old female who has illegally occupied a starts with the roof over your head.“ -said a 41 is one of the suggestions. And while some see the persons who live in an illegally built home, residence. year-old man who lives in the holiday home of themselves as homeless in the future as well, some feel homeless. “I don’t feel homeless in The persons often said that they use the his friends. others hope that the things can get better. the worst sense of the word because I have a services of the Red Cross, the meal centres “A room. I don’t need anything else. Just a “I believe that I will not end up living on the roof over my head. However, I feel unsafe“- said and the NGOs that provide meals (“Real Acts room and a bathroom“– said a 59 year-old wom- streets and that, if everything is implemented a 39 year-old female who lives in an illegally of Kindness“ and “Retweet a Meal“) and that an who is temporarily staying with a friend. in accordance with the laws, and if the court is built home. The fact that their homes are not they don’t know where else they could turn for They said that the shelter centers and the just – such thing will not happen “ – said a 42 legalized makes them uneasy. “The state may help. HOPS, HERA and the Day-care Centre for shelters for female victims of domestic vio- year-old female who has illegally occupied a decide to build something here and they can tell Street Children were mentioned as organiza- lence should function better, and that daily residence. me to take my materials and the bricks and to go tions that help the persons who live in Suto services should be provided for the homeless The interviewees had a neat appearance away. That is the reason for my unease“– said a Orizari. persons (not just once a week) because they and showed readiness for cooperation. The 43 year-old male who lives in an illegally built Some have received help in the form of mon- are especially important during the initial pe- linguistic communication went with slight home. One person said that he believes in a ey and food from their neighbours, friends and riod after the abandoning of one’s home. The difficulties with the persons with insufficient brighter future. However, the interviewees relatives. They are thankful for their solidarity. employment is a solution for their homeless- knowledge of the Macedonian language. One also expressed lack of trust in the institutions, Some of the persons get the biggest support ness or temporary insecure housing. If they are person is a former alcohol addict, while an- and even marginalization and discrimination from their neighbours and the community. employed, they would be able to arrange their other can be often seen under the influence of on ethnic grounds. “I’m satisfied with my neighbors. People around accommodation and have a better life. alcohol. Some of them were obviously nervous Those who know each other from the home- me help me a lot. I wouldn’t be able to do any- “I would give them cabins and a job“– this is while talking about their families and about less station in Momin Potok spend time togeth- thing without them” – said a 41 year-old man how a 35 year-old man, who temporarily re- the reasons that led to their living their homes. er, but they emphasize that they are alone and who lives in the holiday home of his friends. that they feel lonely and isolated. They have a “People’s support means a lot to me“ - said a small circle of friends and only a few of their 59 year-old woman who is temporarily staying friends have a home in their ownership. The in- with a friend. terviewees rarely contact their wider families: The women who are victims of domestic vio- parents, children, relatives. The disrupted fam- lence or the single parents said that they are ily relations that made them leave their homes judged by the society and that they are often have not changed even after the long period the most severe social cases in the state. One of their living separately in insecure housing. woman pointed out that her temporary home “I don’t see my relatives. I have a sister, brother was provided by her friend who is a social wel- in law, nephews... but, what if I have them? No fare beneficiary herself. Some of them also one asks me how I live... and whether I have what expect assistance from the state institutions I need or not. Nothing“ – said a 41 year-old man and the Ombudsman for the purposes of find- who lives in the holiday home of his friends. ing a solution for their situation and especially Only one person said that s/he has contacts for obtaining information how to legalize their with relatives who are helping with food and homes. money. Those who live in an illegally built home do not feel homeless, but criticize the USEFULL SERVICES, SOLUTIONS Conclusion fact that in their home where they have lived AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE Securing home and employment are the direct needs of the persons who are temporarily stay- for more than 25 years they live in substandard In the opinion of the interviewees, the use- ing with relatives and friends or who have illegally occupied a residence. The persons who live in conditions, over-crowdedness and often with- ful services comprise the free legal assistance illegally constructed buildings need assistance and advice how to legalize their constructions, out the basic infrastructure. and the aid in the form of food, clothes and as well as assistance for improvement of the quality of their homes (access to electricity, water The interviewees do not have any contacts basic necessities for their children and babies. supply, sewage). These target groups rarely use financial welfare, although it seems that in view with the other state institutions or associa- They need more information about the access of the fact that they are not able to provide financial means they are a typical profile of candi- tions of citizens. One person who has illegally to employment, the institutions that could dates for this type of social benefits. They lack information and assistance in order to exercise occupied a residence also pointed to the in- help them get their social rights and the man- their social rights. consistency of the national priorities. ner in which they could legalize their homes. 74 75 6.3.2 POTENTIAL HOMELESSNESS category 9 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

Relations between tenants and owners are (Official Gazette of RM, 5/2003). According governed by the Law on Housing (Official Ga- to article 2 of this Law, the mortgage of the zette of RM, 99/2009). According to article 81, home is a way of securing financial claims and the landlord (the owner of the residence) has claims which are convertible to money which the right to terminate the contract if the les- the creditor has toward his debtor, from a cer- see (the person renting the place) does not pay tain contractual relation. If the claims secured the rent or the incurred utility bills, in addition by lien are not met by the deadline of their to the rent, within a prescribed deadline, or activation, the creditor may settle the claims if no deadline has been prescribed, within 30 from the value of the object of the lien. days as of the receipt of the bills. According to article 80, the lessee has the right to terminate the lease agreement at any time without stating the reasons, with a notice period of 90 On the lookout days. According to article 82, the lessor may terminate the agreement due to the circum- for work, so as stances stated in the lease agreement, however he/she has the responsibility to provide to not to lose the the lessee an alternate apartment for a period of at least 90 days, which apartment would rented home need to meet the minimal housing standards of the lessee and the accompanying persons. S.G. is almost 50 and the insecurity of his life According to article 87, when a person moves under someone else’s roof for which he doesn’t into an apartment without a lease agreement manage to secure means to pay for rent and or any other legal basis, the owner has the bills complicates his life even further. right to repossess the apartment with allowed He has completed primary education and self-help. In this case, the organ of interior af- underlines that his employment options are fairs interferers upon request of the holder of exceptionally slim. A roof for the right to self-help. The right to protection - I used to be self-employed, but I couldn’t of possession with allowed self-help may be ex- cash in on my services. Even now I’m constant- ercised within 30 days of the day of acknowl- ly on the lookout for a job – he says. today, edging the violation of the possession and the The decision to be evicted from his place violator, however not later than one year since had been passed a week before our conver- tomorrow the occurrence of the violation of the posses- sation, and he has been trying to resolve the sion. The lessor may in any given time initiate problem he is facing in different ways. a court proceedings before a respective organ, - I’ve addressed the Social Welfare Centre out on the for eviction from the apartment. The eviction and the JS Company for Management of Resi- procedure is urgent. According to article 88, dential and Business Space, as well as to the street the lessor may cancel the agreement closed Red Cross in Ohrid – explains S.G. who has in an indefinite time, with a notice period no been left without any regular income through- 9.1. Life situation: a decision has been shorter than 90 days. The notice period of the out the year. passed for eviction from rental hous- lease agreement and the sublease agreement In the past period he had mostly been sup- ing; general definition: the eviction in a case of a dispute shall be determined in a ported by the Red Cross, mostly in food. decision has become effective. procedure before the regular court. When the 9.2. Life situation: confiscation of a court determines an eviction deadline, it may - There are also people who help me out but mortgaged home; general definition: not be shorter than 60 or longer than 90 days. some are not able to, even if they want to. The manner, the conditions and the the creditor has the legal right to The state is the one who should pay par- procedure for mortgaging a home as well as take over the ownership. ticular attention and provide social housing to the actions taken in case of the mortgage acti- people who need it. There is plenty of available vation are part of the Law on Contractual Lien housing – considers S.G. 76 77 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

ANALYSIS them have not undergone any medical check- once a place in Cicino Selo, but I refused. It is very eviction. “A homeless person – he is nobody and The following analysis refers to the ques- up and do not face any particular health is- far away and there are no conditions for medical nothing“ – describes his feelings one 49-year tionnaire which analyses the situation with sues, apart from anxiousness and neurosis treatment of my wife” – claims one 54-year old old man who is threatened by eviction. persons living under the threat of eviction, i.e. due to the situation they are in. One of them man who is threatened by eviction. The same under the threat of an active eviction decision battles chronic bronchitis. person also claims to have submitted docu- USEFUL SERVICES, SOLUTIONS against them. According to ETHOS, this cate- ments for acquiring social housing, but has AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE gory includes people living under the threat of REASONS FOR EVICTION, PROBLEMS, been refused. Useful services are considered the support in requisition of a mortgaged home, but, due to NEEDS AND SOCIALIZATION Their biggest problem is their home. “I have food, clothes, and hygienic means, given as the discretionary right of the executors of the One person due to selling of the apartment no home, nowhere to keep myself warm, to a donation. They require more information decision and the Law on Personal Data Protec- had been forced to leave the rented place and have a bath, to sleep, to rest, to get myself for access to employment, institutions that tion, which prevents issuance of information had been fired with a notice period of three cleaned up, get shaved“ – claims one 66-year could help them exercise their social rights related to individual cases of eviction due to weeks, and he is currently staying with a friend old man, who is threatened by eviction. The but also the tenancy rights, information about mortgage, the team was unable to identify wherefrom he is expected to move out in sev- insecurity and the suspense makes them anx- the ways on how to acquire social apartment such cases. en days. He fears that he will not be able to ious. They feel that they had been left alone. or accommodation in institutions for elderly rent a new place given the low social benefits “Everybody calls in, ask about me, to promise people. In their vision for the future they all The questionnaire aims to provide insight he receives and the price of the rent, although that they would help me, but they never do” – agree that they need home. “I feel like living. I into the self-evaluation and self-perception of he had lived in rented places for almost 20 claims one 54-year old man, who is threatened want to live “– claims one 66-year old man who the persons, and is designed for the purposes years. The other two, due to unpaid rents and by eviction. They claim to not having received is threatened by eviction. They feel that the of this research. The interviews have been con- utility bills are also to leave their place. The any significant support from the Social Wel- state institutions and the social policy need ducted in the period between November 2015 other two have a particular problem with high fare Centres or from the NGOs, apart from the to pay particular attention to this potential – February 2016, in Skopje and in Ohrid. Two electricity bills during the winter months. Red Cross. category of people who are threatened by interviews have been held via telephone. They are preoccupied with existential prob- People feel homeless. “So, as of the first of homelessness. The analysis of the responses focused on the lems and securing food and money for them- this month, since I don’t have a roof over my head The interviewees have shown readiness for needs of this focal group, the reasons for the selves and for their families. “It is the only – that makes me a homeless person“ – claims cooperation, and are aware of their situation. eviction and the side effects of the insecure preoccupation I have as I got stuck with these one 66-year old man, who is threatened by housing over their physical and mental health, credit cards. I can’ t take any money“ – says one social relations with their families, friends and 49-year old man who is threatened by eviction. other homeless people, the treatment by the One person has told his story on TV and had community and the institutions, as well as the afterwards received help from the Red Cross. vision for the future and the personal perspec- “I called the TV crew myself. I’ve been told to do tive on how to overcome the problem of home- it. I didn’t want to at first, but if I’d have had lessness. another solution, I would’ve done it differently“ - claims one 54-year old who is threatened by REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE eviction. The others have addressed the state In the category of people living under the institutions, such as the Social Welfare Centre, threat of eviction, interviews have been con- the Company for Management of Residential ducted with three people, all of them men, at and Business Space, but have not received ap- the age between 49 and 66. The ethnic cross- propriate directions for addressing the prob- section comprises two e-Macedonians and one lem. They have also addressed the Red Cross, e-Albanian. They all are in possession of a birth wherefrom they had been provided with food, certificate and citizenship of the Republic of clothes and hygiene packs. Macedonia. Two are married, and one is a fa- One of the persons is a social welfare ben- Conclusion ther of two daughters. One of the interviewees eficiary and works additionally so to be able to : Securing a home and employment are a direct need of the people threatened by eviction. Par- had separated from his wife and has no money cover the existential expenses with the wife. ticularly given that under risk of homelessness are the entire families and children. These people to formally divorce, and lives with a partner. The other person has been left without any require support and counseling on provision of social support, how to apply for social housing or One person has completed primary educa- regular finances for a year and the third person to be housed in retirement homes. But also, these people need professional counseling on ten- tion and two have completed higher educa- is a beneficiary of the retirement fund. ancy rights and often even a free legal aid in cases of representation of their rights in court. The tion. All of them have health insurance and a None of the people have been housed in any inclusion of the local self-governance is of great importance in the securing and quick detection health care card. During the last year, two of institution for social protection. “I was offered and crisis support to these people, particularly in the first few months since the eviction. 78 79 6.3.3 . Potential Homelessness Category 10 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

The reporting of domestic violence to the quired, to attend to the scene of the incident, police is one of the most frequent forms of in the presence of at least two or more police reaction. An entire 64 percent of women view officials (if possible, of different gender). When the police assistance as the primary form of attending to the scene of the incident, the protection from violence. The accommodation police officials are required to take measures in shelter is recognized by 59,70 percent of the for protection of the victims of domestic vio- women, the appropriate health care protection lence and for preventing the abuser from fur- is identified by 40,80 percent and the legal aid ther infliction of violence. The police officials and representation before the judicial organs are required to conduct, possible, a separate is identified by 38,10 percent of the women. interview with the perpetrator and the victim. A mere 20,5o percent of hte women recognize In case of a need for sheltering and accom- the need of psychological counceling, appro- modation of the victim, the police officials priate psycho-sociological intervention and establish contact with the national SOS line request for pronouncing temporary measures or with the respective social welfare centre for protection by the court as possible protec- and provide transport to there. If the victim is tive measures for domestic violence49. In cases afraid to remain in the home, the professional when the temporary measures for protection 50 team of the social welfare centre conducts an are insufficiently applied and the abusers are interview with the victim in order to establish punished mildly, it is not a surprising fact that his/her needs while advising the victim on the the focus of the policy and of the public aware- measures of protection, in accordance with ness refers to those types of protection which the Law on Family, and with the potential re- are necessary in acute cases of violence and sources for accommodation of the victim - rel- even more drastically, which do not involve pre- atives, friends, national SOS line, shelter and ventive measures and measures for overcoming other available resources. of consequences of this type of violence. People in this category have reported do- According to the Joint Protocol for Actions mestic violence cases to the police. The ac- in case of domestic violence51, the role of tions of the police have not always led to the police is to protect the victim of domes- removal of the abuser from the home or to tic violence. In case of reporting of domestic securing safe shelter. In the new home also, violence, or, in case of request for providing which is not institutionally supported, but is Who is assistance to a person subject to any type of shared with relatives or friends, people are domestic violence, the police official is obli- often victims of harassment or violence. And gated to record the circumstances in which so, they continue to live under the threat of protected by the violence occurred, to assess the gravity, violence. the police – severity and the urgency of the case, as re- the victim or the abuser? 49 The Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of Women of Republic of Macedonia – ЕСЕ and Action Zdru- zenska: Shadow Report on the Implementation of the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. Available at: http://zdruzenska.org.mk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/izvestaj-vo-senka.pdf [02.03.2016] (Operational category: people under threat of violence; situation: incidents registered by the 50 Such as: restrictions on threats, harassment, disturbance or restrictions on approaching the place of residence, school, work place or removal from the home, regardless of ownership, until the adoption of a final court decision, a court order police; general definition: police acts to provide for the abuser to undergo appropriate counseling, mandatory health care etc. secure place for the domestic violence victim) 51 Available at: http://www.mtsp.gov.mk/content/pdf/Protocol_MKD.pdf

80 81 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

porting the violence to the police, but despite adult children. All of the women are victims tion. “They helped me out the most to overcome the assistance of the police, they still live un- of domestic violence and live under the threat the chaos at home” – points one of the inter- der threat of violence.The questionnaire aims of violence by their children and/or their clos- locutors. The isolation is a dominant feeling, Domestic violence to provide insight into the self-evaluation and est family. One woman has no education, two with the woman with physical disabilities. Her self-perception of the interviewees, and is de- have completed primary education and two physical and health condition prevents her reported, but signed for the purposes of this research. The have completed higher vocational education. from finding a more suitable housing opportu- interviews were conducted in the period be- One of the women lives in a social housing in nities than sharing a home with an abuser. “I without any effect tween September 2015 – February 2016. The Skopje, two other women live in the home of don’t know anyone”. People get away from people interviewees come from Tetovo and Skopje. members of a close family and two women like me” - points out the interviewee. D.B. has been forced out from the home of The analysis of the responses focused on live with their children and their families. All the partner with whom she had a child when the needs of this focal group, the reasons that of the women have health insurance and dur- PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND INSTITUTIONAL she did not accept the request to put the child have led them to leave their home and its im- ing the last year have often underwent medi- LACK OF COORDINATION in an adoption facility. For five years, she and pact on their potential homelessness, the side cal checkups. Among them there is a woman The domestic violence has fully violated the the child live in the house of her mother, who effects of the new situation and the constant with chronic illnesses (asthma, diabetes, al- domestic relations and the relations within recently died. She shares her place with her threat of violence over their physical and men- lergies, hypertension), and some complain on the extended family and the children. Women brother and his family from whom, both she tal health, the social relations with the families problems in their chest. One of the women has still perceive as a threat the former partners and her son, suffer domestic violence. Previ- and the friends, the treatment by the commu- physical disabilities. or children standing in defense of their father. ously she had been beaten by her partner. nity and the institutions as well as their vision “He still persecutes us, he even tried twice to run D. B. recounts that her brother and her for the future and the personal perspective on REASONS FOR LEAVING THE HOME AND us over with a car, together with the son“– claims sister-in-law have, for some time now, been how to overcome the problem of homeless- LOCATING ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION one 43-year old interviewee. One woman trying to place her in a psychiatric institution, ness. One of the women is initially a victim of do- claims that her return in the family house has after which, as she says, had the intention to mestic violence inflicted by her son, whereas worsened the relations with the brother and place her son in a children’s facility. REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE another woman is a victim of violence caused his family, and so, they are now a new source - I am being insulted and beaten. Two or A total of five interviews have been con- by her son-in-law. The others are victims of vio- of violence, for her and her son. three times, and I fought back – she explains ducted with the category of people – female lence inflicted by the husband / partner. That One of the women is without a home for furiously. victims of domestic violence, who, despite has been the only reason due to which the nine years and has been accommodated with She had reported the domestic violence the reported violence, continue to live under four interlocutors had left their home or are friends and relatives. Forcefully and with on several occasions to the police, but, as she its threat. The youngest interviewee was at intending to do so. They have all reported the the support from the police she had left her says, there had been no reaction on their side. the age of 43 го¬ди¬ни, аnd the oldest was violence to the police and have many different partner’s home, where her children remained. - I reported the sister-in-law and the brother 68. One interviewee is in the early forties, one experiences with the institutions in charge of Another woman had lived for five years in the on several occasions. The police say that they in late fifties and one in her late sixties. The helping the victims of domestic violence. So, family home with her brother and his family, will act upon it, but nothing ever happens. Ev- ethnic cross-section comprises two e-Macedo- two of them still live in the same home with where she doesn’t feel welcome and, together erything is the same. My mother died a week nians, one e-Albanian, one e-Roma, and one e- the perpetrator, while one woman is a new vic- with her son, are victims of physical and psy- ago. I fear worse days are coming - says D.B. Turk. Only one woman has no birth certificate tim of domestic violence caused by a relative chological violence. The third interviewee has who, as she explains, had wanted to be shel- and citizenship of Republic of Macedonia. The in the newly shared place. Only one woman is lived with her son for 18 months, in a compli- tered in the Social Welfare Centre, but was in- interviews were conducted in Skopje, in the with her son and lives a life without violence, cated family atmosphere, following violence, formed that they are not able to help her. premises of Female Forum in Tetovo, which but filled with stress and anxiousness due to which lasted for more than 30 years. The last She says that she had received the greatest provides services to domestic violence victims. unresolved family relations and divorce proce- of the interviewees have used the services of support from her sisters, as, according to her, One woman is a widow since young age and dures. the shelter-centre for victims of domestic vio- she can barely go through the month solely re- lives with her adult children and a son, who is an Two of the women are in close contact with lence in a period of three months, after which lying on the social benefits of 3.600 MKD. alchocol addict. One woman has lived in a civil their relatives, who are their strong support she had been placed in a retirement home. - I rely on my sisters. They help me out. But partnership community, but after the delivery, in their lives. Another woman points out that She had hoped to be placed in an institution I know that I cannot live with them, they have along with the baby, she had been forced out the only support she had received is from the for people with physical disabilities, but she their own families – says D.B. and currently lives in her family house togeth- church in the form of a donation of food prod- didn’t managed to receive life support. So, she er with her parents, her brother, and his family. ucts, while only one of them is a member of an had been forced to live with the abuser, and ANALYSIS One of the women is currently going through association of citizens which offers assistance she had lost her home four years ago. The following analysis refers to the ques- a divorce procedure, and the other one is di- to victims of domestic violence and had used Only one woman is employed and one is a tionnaire which analyses the situation of the vorced. The last of the interviewed women is donations and their counseling, thus manag- beneficiary of a pension for people with dis- domestic violence victims, who had been re- separated from her partner and lives with her ing to face and overcome the domestic situa- abilities. Three of the women are beneficiaries 82 83 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

of financial support, in the amount of 1.300 ily and by the wider environment are an ad- cal and the social support they receive from thinking about a new home, to guarantee or 3.600 MKD, and one of the interviewees is ditional trauma in their life. “They’ve been call- NGOs, the financial support from the parents them personal security, respect of the judicial a beneficiary of a benefit for permanent care. ing my son a bastard and he has no one to play or the financial support and the donations by decisions and pronouncement of more effec- Their experience with the institutions in not with. I take him in a kindergarten yard to play the church. Still, they claim that the social tive measures for the abusers. “He should be satisfactory. The women complain on the re- for a while as we have only traumas at home“– welfare is not sufficient for them to live with pronounced some верѕ харсх measure, that lations with the police, which is often lenient recounts another interviewee. Unresolved their children in their own home. They feel it is if he meets me he should turn on the other towards the abusers, and even bribable in situ- family relations, particularly with the children, necessary to have a more effective system of side or pass by me as if he doesn’t know me, ations of domestic violence. They feel that the cause pain, but they are aware that the leav- punishment of the abusers and protection of otherwise, he should know the consequences“ police is often on the side of the violent man. ing of the abuser would be the only solution the women who leave the home of the abuser. – states one interviewee. They feel that human “He used to bribe the police and the court” – for them. “It’s all the same for me now, not that “It’s not a problem only the sleepover. I, for in- solidarity would help them more in the com- claims one 44-year old interviewee. “The police I find it easy though”. The story I am now telling stance, if I go to the shelter centre and stay munication with the police. That is why they said that they would act upon it, but nothing ever you, if I had told you the same story a year ago, there for a month, where will I go when I go out feel that there should be more employed wom- happened. Everything was the same“– claims you would have to calm me down, but now I tell from there? I would need to come back (with en in the police and particularly women who one 43-year old interviewee. The situation it more calmly“ – recounts bitterly one of the my husband) or stay on the street. I would die had been through a bespoke training to work was more complicated in the home of the interviewees. An appropriate care for the chil- out of hunger there, њхилст there I would die on these cases. However, they are critical that wife of a person employed in the police who dren, including appropriate health care for the not only of hunger but of violence as well” – the family violence is not done only by men. had received tacit support by his colleagues violent children, a stable employment, a home claims one of the interviewees. They feel that there are also men who are in despite the charges on domestic violence. and personal security are their direct needs. In their vision for the future they wish to need of institutional support. “They’re aware that he’s violent, he’s never been The interviewees see themselves as people have a safe home, employment, or stable fi- The interviewees had a neat physi- convicted. He was called for an interview, and I without a home. “I used to have a home, but now nances with which they would be able to look cal appearance and showed readiness for was offered some protection“– explains with bit- I don’t“ – says one of the interviewees while after themselves and their children. In the цооператион, have tried to show the essence terness the interviewee. describing homelessness. But the fact that at approach to solving the problems of the do- of the problems and give their directions for All of the women claim that they have the moment they have roof over their heads, mestic violence victims, they consider it nec- their solution. stayed with the violent person because of the although a temporary one, makes them feel re- essary to provide them work in order to start children and the wish for them to be brought luctant to identify themselves with the home- up in a family environment, with two parents. less people. “They are to be pitied, those who “I tolerate it because of the children“ – claims beg on the street“ – one interviewee describes one of the interviewees. “While I had the nerves the homeless people. They are aware that they and the reason to live for the children, we man- may lose their current home anytime and that aged somehow. When the children grew up a causes an additional stress and suspense. little, then bigger problems started. Then I went to file for divorce. When he found out, he rolled USEFUL SERVICES, SOLUTIONS AND VISION all over the place, he hit his head on the floor, and FOR THE FUTURE Conclusion yelled out: I’ll do anything you say, only not to get The victims of domestic violence are in Raising awareness of the general population for the services and the manners of institutional a divorce... and nothing changed“– explains one contact with the state institutions and with support in situations of domestic violence are necessary for the initial encouragement of the of the interviewees. NGOs which provide counseling and support. victims to leave the abuser. Necessary are an official reaction and urgency of the institutions, The lack of a home in their ownership and Only one person had been a direct beneficiary primarily of the police and the state organs working on social protection in the cases of domestic the low financial income are the biggest prob- of the institutional forms of protection of violence. The domestic violence is noт and it should not be considered a private problem of the lems faced by the women under threat of do- domestic violence victims, shelter-centre in a family or of the partners. Мore effective institutional solutions for prevention and timely and mestic violence. Thus, they fall into a vicious period of three moths, and later on in a retire- swift response in crisis аrе necessary, particularly in the first days of leaving the home, as well as cycle of poverty and violence, which prevent ment home. Still, the use of these services had a longer-term solutions for the homelessness. The situation of these people requires activities for them to become independent and to continue not led to later permanent housing solution. affirmation of the temporary measures for domestic violence protection, particularly at a lower their life without violence. The stress and the On the contrary, after the institutional sup- level. More effective responses for re-socialization of the abuser, as well as programmes that fear are part of their daily life. “I’m still afraid. port was over, the victim had been forced to would reinstall the self-confidence and the feeling of safety with the victims are also necessary. After I moved with my son, whenever I stay late return to the home of the violent person. An- Programmes for psychological and social support and individual work with the people-victims of at work, even my son is in fear. My husband has other person claims to have requested institu- domestic violence would help them in facing the feeling of guilt that they leave their children or started harassing him too, for allowing me to tional care, but the social welfare centres had that they haven’t done enough to protect the family. The unemployed victims require assistance move in with him “– claims the interviewee. not been able to help him. in finding employment in order to have the possibility for independent life. The judgment and the violence by the fam- As useful are considered the psychologi- 84 85 6.3.4 POTENTIAL HOMELESSNESS Category 11 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

The following analysis refers to a question- 46) and they make up 12 percent of the total naire which analyzes the situation of people number of housing in the country (Centre for living in unconventional and temporary ob- Regional Research and Cooperation 2004). It is jects. According to ETHOS, unconventional a common knowledge that the number of such objects are considered ruinous houses and settlements and families living in substandard buildings, incompletely secured homes with conditions is much higher (Kostov, 2010). infrastructure connections, whereas temporary structures include: garages, cabins, pre- According to a 2006 World Bank Report on fabs (containers), etc. It also includes people the current substandard settlements in 14 living in mobile homes such as: automobile, largest cities in Macedonia52 it is alleged that trailer, horse carts with trailers, which are not the physical housing conditions in these areas usually considered housing places, but the re- are often inappropriate (densely populated, search team did not manage to record such with unstable materials, unprotected from cases. It is important to underline that this water or dangerous locations). Also such areas category often matches persons who live in are characterized by a high rate of unemploy- usurped places (category 8.3 in this research ment, irregular income and depend on infor- and according to ETHOS). In the classification, mal activities. These are populated mainly the research team was guided by the primary by ethnic Albanian and e-Roma families. The characteristic of the home, namely whether it largest part of the inhabitants pay property is on an occupied land in order to be classified tax and utility bills whereas the most burn- in category 8.3, and whether the living condi- ing issues are the infrastructure with a lack of tions are substandard in order to be classified sanitary management of the sewage and insuf- in category 11. ficient collection of the solid waste. According to the State Statistical Office, in Macedonia, in 2012, 14,1 percent of the households had problems with leaking roof, Dirt floor and damp walls and foundations, broken and de- cayed windows. Of note is that the percentage outdoor toilet WHEN WATER AND of the families in the rural areas which face these problems is bigger than in the urban areas (16,3 percent and 12,8 percent respec- nearby the river ELECTRICITY ARE tively). As for the access to bath tub or shower Thirty-four year old N.A. lives with her two and an in-door toilet, in 2012, 90,4 percent children in a prefab cabin, with no electricity of the total number of households had ac- LUXURY AND THE or water. Since always, having water and elec- cess to a shower or a bath-tub (95,5 percent tricity in her home is a luxury for her. of the households in the urban areas and 82,4 Her spouse is in prison, for theft of copper. ROOF LEAKS... percent of the households in the rural areas) -He didn’t want to steal, but he had to – she whereas 86,9 percent of the total number of says. Operational category: people living in tempo- households had access to in-door toilet (94,3 Her son is 14-years old and goes to school, rary, unconventional objects; living situation percent of the households in urban areas and and she keeps her 10-year old daughter away 75,3 percent of rural areas). Still, the percent- from school as, as she explains, someone tried 11.2 Living situation: unconventional build- ages point out that in Macedonia there is some to steal her once. 100 substandard settlements which house ings; general definition: shelter or substandard N.A. has also never been part of the school- cabin some 274.000 inhabitants (World Bank, 2005: 11.3 Life situation: temporary structures; general definition: a tent or a cabin 52 World Bank (2006) Questions related to the urban and municipal development: Note on policies. Report no: 37278-MK. Available at: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/2007/08/08/000310607_2007080815204 2/Rendered/PDF/372780MACEDONI1Policy0Note01PUBLIC1.pdf (Accessed on: 29.04.2015). 86 87 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

birth certificate and citizenship of Republic of and use improvised outdoor toilets. “It’s a small ing system. benefits of 2.300 MKD, and that an additional Macedonia room, 12-15 square meters, and there is five of - I didn’t go to school as I was told that I income is likely only if she manages to collect Among the persons living in substandard us there We have no electricity or water. I fill could be raped in school. I need to send my and sell plastic bottles. conditions, one person is single, four are in water in bottles from a pump“– describes her daughter as far away as Brakja Ramiz (primary marital relationship or in a civil partnership home one 22-year old interviewee. Only one school in Shuto Orizari) and that is far away. - I manage to earn some 200 MKD a day. I’m with multiple underage children, of which the person has no documents for the home built She has long hair and it was full of lice. Dirty not out on the street, thank God, I don’t beg. youngest one has only few months. Several un- on a land in his ownership. He has submitted people go there. We live in difficult conditions, I sometimes sell shoes or sneakers. But, still, derage children do not attend school despite documents for legalization and the procedure but everything is clean here – says N.A. having a regular job is better – she explains. the mandatory primary and high education is underway. They do not consider their place She is aware that they live below any human and the harsh punishments for noncompli- a home, but “this is what you get” - says one dignity, but for now, while her husband is in ANALYSIS ance. Some are considered phantom children, 61-year old interviewee. prison, she doesn’t see a way out. The questionnaire aims to provide insight i.e. they have no documents or personal iden- Among the people using temporary housing It is worse when it rains. Then the water into the self-evaluation and self-perception of tification numbers. Among the people who live facilities, one person lives in a deserted cabin comes in the cabin and the wardrobe is filled the persons, and is designed for the purposes in ruined barracks one is a single person, one is in Sredorek, Kumanovo, whereas the previous with water. The floor is underground. I’m very of this research. The interviews with the inter- divorced, whereas one is married, one is sepa- 8 years he used to occasionally live out in the much afraid about the health of the children viewees from Category 11 were conducted in rated from his wife and for 11 years now lives street, sometimes with relatives or friends, because of the conditions we live in. And I want the period between August – October 2015, in a partnership with another woman. Two of “under someone else’s roof“ – says one 54-year to have a clean and neat home. I wish I had a in Skopje and in Kumanovo. Part of the inter- them have adult children who have moved out. old interviewee. Another person for 20 years bath. I’d groom myself up, I’d put makeup on – views were held in the centre for homeless Two persons have no education whatsoever, now lives in a place which is remains from she says with a smiley expression on the face children in Suto Orizari, which some of the three have uncompleted primary education, cabin in Shuto Orizari, in one room without and adds that many of her acquaintances have persons frequented to obtain food or shelter one person has completed primary educa- sewerage, and uses the Friday services of the left Macedonia and now live much better. for their children. tion and two persons have uncompleted high reception shelter in Momin Potok. The third - I want to work as well. I can clean and earn The analyses of the answers is focused on school. The people living in a cabin, in substan- person almost 10 years is without a home and at least 10.000 MKD. It’ll be enough. It’s nice the needs of this target group, the reasons dard conditions are located in Shuto Orizari or lives in a ruined cabin in Kisela Voda and also when you have work, when you don’t you just that have led them to temporary, unconven- in Kumanovo. uses the Friday services of the reception shel- sit around. I like to sing, to talk, to work. I don’t tional housing and its side effects on their All of the interviewees have health insur- ter for homeless in Momin Potok. want to steal - says N.A. physical and mental care, the social relations ance and a health care card. One person un- Unresolved family relations were the reason She explains that she feels insecure in her with their families and friends, the treatment derlines that despite the health insurance they for changing their place of residence several cabin as it is easily penetrable. by the community and the institutions, as well do not use the health care services as they are times, to rent or share a place with other rela- - Once I was attacked at home because the as the vision for the future and the personal not able to cover for the required participa- tives or simply live out on the street. People attacker had known that my husband is in pris- perspective on how to overcome the problem tion. Part of the interviewees feel healthy and living in substandard conditions for their cur- on - she explains angrily. of homelessness or temporary, unconventional have not had any medical check in the last rent residence say: “At the moment I live in a She had lived a hard life even before get- housing. year. Some face chronic illnesses or dental improvised home, with no water or electricity, ting married, previously in her grandfather’s problems caused by poor or irregular nutrition but I feel much safer than before, when we house, and afterwards, in her husband’s family REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE or suffer from anxiousness caused by stress moved and lived in rented place because now house, which also did not have the basic living In the category of people with temporary, and fear. Only one of the interviewees claims the cabin is ours“ – says one 22-year old in- requirements. unconventional housing, interviews were con- to have had a gynecological examination dur- terviewee. For those who reside in temporary - We got married within a day. In Mila- ducted with a total of eight interviewees. Of ing the last year. building structures, reasons for loss of home donovci, we lived in a cabin. His mother used them, three women and two men live in cabins, were divorce, family poverty, death of a bread- to say that she would beat me if we were to in substandard conditions, whereas three men INSECURE HOUSING, PROBLEMS, winner parent in the family or demolition of il- continue living there. Once we did get into a live in temporary structures, or ruined cabins. NEEDS AND SOCIALIZATION legally built houses. “With the parents we lived fight. One or two slaps and she hit the floor. The youngest interviewee was at the age of Persons living in substandard cabins de- in a rental place. We had no money. My father When I’m anxious, I get reckless. Then we left 18, while the oldest one was 61. Two persons scribe their home as an improvised place, with stopped paying for the rent, fell ill and died, so the place, although we had a room of our own. are in their early twenties, one in their early one or two rooms, shared by at least four- we were left homeless. I didn’t manage quite We bought ourselves a little cabin – recounts thirties, one in late forties and two in early fif- member families. Sometimes a cabin houses well and I’ve been without a home since” – re- N.A. and adds that the room (a wooden and ties. The ethnic cross-section comprises five several families. The cabins are mostly made counts one 47-year old interviewee. plywood cabin) has some15 sqaure meters. Roma who live in substandard cabins and two of plywood, have no basic infrastructure, elec- All, but one person, are beneficiaries of fi- e-Macedonians and one e-Roma who live in ru- tricity or water sockets or use these services nancial support, child support benefits or She says that she receives social welfare ined cabins. They all have in their possession a illegally. They supply water from public pumps benefits for single mothers (because of that, 88 89 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

one person will continue living in an extra- me any time: Go away! We are many people Skopje and the St. Spas Church. and sewerage sockets. They mention the Red marital partnership). They have monthly funds and overnight I was chased out on the street. People living in substandard conditions do Cross, the Centre for sheltering street children of somewhere between 1.200 and 5.000 MKD. I want to be calm “ – says one 54-year old in- not feel like homeless. “We live poorly. We from Shuto Orizari, Megjasi, Catholic Church They earn insignificant additional income terlocutor. have no basic conditions in the houses where and the Church St. Spas, which give them do- through collection of plastic bottles, occa- The people living in substandard conditions we live “– claims one 22-year old interlocutor. nations in food and services. sional support on the market, cleaning and with their families claim that they rarely leave They feel that the roof over their head is the In their vision for the future they agree selling of the Face to Face Magazine. “With my the place to visit the city. They mostly hang difference between them and the homeless that they need better home. Some are ready husband, we also collect plastic bottles. We around with neighbors and relatives. People people“, otherwise we are the same. We have to improve their current home, whereas oth- earn 100 to 150 for a sackful, and we collect living in temporary buildings are also socially no jobs, water, electricity, food”. Those who ers want to leave the ghettoized substandard it for two or three week“– claims one 22-year excluded and live a lonely life. They claim that live in ruined places feel homeless more often, environment. “We need to refurbish the place, old interlocutor. They consider social support they rarely hang around with other homeless and even “worse than homeless”. As if you are make it livable. It’s cold in winter “– claims one insufficient for coverage of the life needs of people, although they know many homeless out in the street. It’s not being called home” - 53-year old interlocutor. “We want to leave multiple member families. One person, due to people or people at social risk. ”The hardest claims one 53-year old interlocutor. that environment, but have no money. No- a fee for temporary work – cleaning, has lost for me is the loneliness. I want to talk to some- The interviewees rarely have contact with body’s working, except for my dad, occasion- the right to financial benefits from the state body. To find some consolation “– claims one the state institutions or with associations of ally. My brother works, “checking out the gar- and claims that the “toiling” is his only finan- 54-year old interlocutor. citizens. They sometimes receive help in food bage”, collecting iron, anything that can be sol cial income and the most he earns per month Life in substandard conditions is burdened or clothes from relatives or citizens. One per- “– claims one 18-year old interlocutor. Some is 3.000 MKD. with uncertainty, stress and fear. Some believe son claims that one of his sisters had financed see a better life only in emigration abroad. The greatest benefits for the people liv- that the ghettoization in substandard settle- him in order to get roof over the head, but it’s “There’s no life here” – claims one 22-year old ing in substandard conditions are the lack of ments prevents them to accomplish their po- a temporary support. They feel that the com- interlocutor. The same is said by another 22- financial means and stable monthly finances tentials. That’s the vicious cycle of poverty. “I munity doesn’t respect them, nor they show year old interlocutor. “We all want something in order for them to be able to improve their don’t want to live like this anymore. Everyone’s any solidarity to help. “People don’t help us. better, but I don’t believe that it’ll happen. Get home and live a more dignified life. “It’s nice left. Once my husband is out of prison we will No one says: There, have one smoke! If I don’t your kids and hit the road, never come back when you have work, but when you don’t – you leave too “ – claims one 34-year old inter- manage, nobody would help me “– claims one to Shutka again. It will never be better here” just sit around like a fool. I don’t want to steal locutor. Her biggest fear is the health of her 53-year old interlocutor. – says angrily one 34-year old interlocutor. The “– says one 34-year old interlocutor. “I need a children. “I think that the water is not good. solution for the conditions in which they live job so that we can provide for our needs” – ex- Iit affects our health. The baby has kidney USEFUL SERVICES, DECISIONS AND VISION they feel is – better place and employment. “A plains one 22-year old interlocutor. Some find trouble “ – claims one 22-year old interlocutor. FOR THE FUTURE home and a job. The roof is the most impor- it difficult to provide regular food. “We have The same is said by one 34-year old interlocu- Useful are considered the support in food, tant“ – says one 54-year old interlocutor. one meal per day, it rarely happens to have tor: “I’m very much afraid for the health of the clothes, firewood, basic means for their kids The interviewees had a neat physical ap- more than one“ – claims another 22-year old children because of the conditions we live in“. and babies. They need more information on pearance and showed readiness for coopera- interlocutor. Although they are content of And the people who live in temporary build- access to jobs, access to micro crediting or tion. It is noticeable that the living conditions having their own home, they still need elec- ings share similar problems. “I’m on the pills. donations for refurbishment of their homes, had left traces on their physical appearance. tricity sockets, water and sewerage. Without I get very anxious. One day you have food, the access to infrastructure - water, electricity electricity and water, life is hard“ – recounts next day – nothing”– claims one 53-year old one 22-year old interlocutor. interlocutor. Additionally, people living in temporary Their needs are simple. Improvement of the buildings, apart from the poor housing condi- physical conditions, employment and stable tions, face the inability to provide daily meal. finances. “If only I could find a job” – says one “The food is my biggest problem, I don’t even 34-year old interlocutor. “I don’t have a chance have a stove “ – claims one 53-year old inter- for a big house, but at least some more rooms locutor. They mostly collect food in the gar- for this big family “ – claims one 61-year old bage containers and help out occasionally, interlocutor. clean for a certain fee, whereas for keeping the None of the persons had been placed in personal hygiene they use the reception point an institution for social protection. Only few in Momin Potok, where they take a bath and of them receive donations and support from take clean clothes. They had been offered a friends, relatives from the Red Cross, the place for sleepover with friends, but, still they Centre for sheltering children on the street in decide to live in a ruined home. “They can tell Shuto Orizari, Megjasi, the Catholic Church in 90 91 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

VII

MAIN BENEFITS FROM THE RESEARCH

Conclusion Employment and advancement of the physical living conditions are a direct need of the people living in unconventional facilities, in substandard conditions and in temporary structures. 1. DEFINITION + CATEGORIZATION The persons - owners of land and/or home in substandard conditions require donations and 2. INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING THE SEVERITY OF HOMELESSNESS micro-crediting, as in the case of Habitat Macedonia, which with the savings bank Possibilities have imitated a credit line which provides small loans for reconstruction and renovation of sub- 3.SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE standard homes. These people also have a need of non-financial services in the form of counsel- 4. PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION FOR PEOPLE WORKING WITH HOMELESS ing on how to most effectively and sustainably renovate their homes. The local self-government 5.DEVELOPMENT OF A PLATFORM WHICH MARRIES THEORY AND PRACTICE has an important role in providing subsidized approach to electricity, water and sewerage to the homes of these persons and thus improve the quality of life. The persons living in temporary structures require information and assistance on the way the institutions may assist them in www.bezdomnistvo.mk the exercising of their social rights, such as temporary institutional housing, one-off financial support etc. Also, inclusion of the business sector, civil organizations, and church institutions is necessary to provide for coordinated actions in this area, particularly during winter time.

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Syndrom scaled indicators 5 – permanently employed 7.1 4 – seasonal work* DEFINITION + CATEGORIZATION 3 – social support, in-kind support from NGO, religious organi Material conditions zations and the business sector 2 – one-off employment 1 – no employment

The homelessness is a process which refers to people with limited inclusion in the social life, * The sales of the Face to Face street magazine is also considered a seasonal work homeless people, and people with personal identity problems, people living in insecure or inap- 5 - substandard propriate conditions and/or people temporarily housed in shelters or institutions. 4 - under threat for eviction or housed with relatives or friends 3 - housed in a shelter/centre The PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS refers to roofless people, who are deprived of any support in secur- 2 - lives on the street and makes use of the Red Cross ing housing. Housing reception point services 1 - lives on the street and makes no use of the Red Cross The HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS refers to people with or without institutionally supported housing, reception point services which they are expected to leave within a legally prescribed deadline: women accommodated in shelters for domestic violence victims, immigrants sheltered in centres / reception centres/ 5 - with health insurance subsidized housing, people who are about to leave the prison, health or other institutions, and 4 - uses Red Cross health services have no available housing. Health 3 - uses health services only in urgent situations 2 - independent healthcare POTENTIAL HOMELESSNESS refers to people who live in insecure places (with relatives or friends, 1 - no healthcare in an usurped place or in a home built on usurped land), people under the threat of eviction (due 5 – does not use alcohol, drugs and other psychotropic to mortgage or unsettled expenses in a rented place, and the eviction decision is active), people substances living under the threat of violence and people with temporary, unconventional housing. 4 – heavy smoker Vices 3 – occasional use of alcohol/drugs 2 – frequent use of alcohol/drugs 1 – regular use of alcohol/drugs

5 – modest, clean 4 – modest clothing, dirty 7.2 Physical Appearance 3 – clean, inappropriate clothing 2 – dirty, inappropriate clothing, neglected MEASURING THE SEVERITY 1 – extremely unhygienic, shabby appearance OF HOMELESSNESS 5 – regularly visits and is visited by relatives and friends and supporting institutions 4 – relatives and friends visit the person, but the person Contacts doesn’t regularly visit the supporting institutions 3 – occasional contact with relatives, friends and institutions The homelessness is a process which goes through phases of different levels of risk for the 2 – contact with others only in exceptional cases 1 – no contacts individual. The threshold or the level of the risk denotes the degree of the negative elements or impact by the direct environment to the individual.The syndromes which reflect homelessness have different indicators. The arithmetic mean of all syndromes will provide the specific classification of the homeless Example: In the Social Welfare Centre a homeless person calls in, a beneficiary of person: a social welfare (3), uses the services of the Red Cross reception point (2), no health boarding (borderline) threshold / over 3,5 care (1), incidentally uses alcohol/drugs (3), dirty, inappropriately dressed, neglected worrying threshold / 2,5 - 3,5 (2), contact with others in exceptional cases (2). Result: 13 : 6 = 2,1 which denotes a and critical threshold / less than 2,5 / of endangerment to their condition critical threshold

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7.3. 4. Measures depending on the tion, work, family, and health insurance). threshold of severity of the Critical threshold – securing housing (Cen- Professional guidance for people homelessness tre for homeless people with a new concept Borderline (boarding) threshold 1- The pre- or training – supported housing – therapeutic working with homeless ventive forms of actions towards the homeless community) persons refer to the labour market and to the Securing food, clothing and health care housing. People with symptoms for becom- It is mandatory that the institutions for 1.First interview with the homeless person centres or in shelter centres / previous sup- ing homeless, need to be immediately offered homeless organize education – with profes- During the first contact an introduction is port/ the most burning issue for the person / some type of work. Particular attention is to be sional and psychological dimension. made, an attempt to establish the background reasons for the situation the person is in / vi- placed to the families who live in substandard For the residents in the centres and in the (often, during the first contact it is not always sion for the future conditions, in illegal place of residence, or to training-residences there needs to be provided realistic) and intervention, if there is a crisis 5.1 People accommodated in emigrant re- families with a risk of losing their rented home. work engagement (courses, workshops, train- situation (for instance, the person is notice- ception centres / the background of the per- Worrying threshold – identification of risky ings), trainings that will improve their work ably ill). son, whether the person is in the country alone groups of people and undertaking of all pos- habits which will enable them to become more or with a family, reasons for leaving the home country, conditions of stay in Macedonia / vi- sible measures in cases where symptoms for competitive on the labor market. Principles of work: entry into homelessness are observed. Particu- According to the practice in the other sion for the future. do not deny any statement, lar role here have the Social Welfare Centres, countries, a personal assistant may be pro- 6.1.People with current stay in a peniten- the visiting service, the visiting social workers vided for the homeless, who from a position of listen more, tiary or correctional institutions, without a of the city of Skopje and the religious com- a friend and assistant reimerses the homeless talk less, secured home prior to leaving the institutions munities. (The main activities refer to detailed into the societal life. no promises, / reasons for the prison sentence, the life of the person prior to incarceration / vision for review of the income, housing, property situa- explain why you want to help the future after leaving the institution the person 6.2. Homeless people with current (prolonged) stay in healthcare institutions/ time Interview of stay, previous stay in an institution, type The introductory questions applicable to all of health issues, reasons for the situation in profiles of homeless people (roofless people, which the persons is in / conditions for return homeless people, insecure and inappropriate to the own environment, vision for the future. housing,) are the same – name, surname (nick 6.3.People housed in children’s institutions / name), gender, age, nationality, citizenship, homes, who after leaving the institution have personal documents, education. faced the problem of homelessness / how long the person is without a home / reasons due to The questions below are related to the cur- which the person has lost the home / prob- rent state of the person. lems, vision for the future 1.1 People living out in the open/ approxi- 8.1.People temporarily housed with rela- mate place of stay, place of improvised hous- tives and close friends / how long the person ing, alone or collective / how long does the stays in the home of relatives / friends, where person live on the street / reasons for the situ- did the person live previously / relatives/ rea- ation in which the person is in / vision for the sons for the situation /vision for the future future 8.2. People – tenants without a rental agree- 3.2. People accommodated in reception ment / how long does the person live in the points for temporary accommodation of place without lease/ sublease documents / homeless persons/ time of stay in the recep- what does the person live in / problems / rea- tion centre/ whether resides alone or with a sons for the situation / vision for the future family, activities of the person in the reception 8.3.People who built a home on usurped centre / reasons for the situation in which the land / how long has the person lived there person is in / vision for the future / why did the person decide to build a home 4.1. Women accommodated in reception there / has the person submitted a request for

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legalization/ reasons for the situation / vision 2. The role of various professional of functioning of the family group in relation ing condition (including the material condition) for the future staff in the work with the homeless 9.1. People who live in a rented residence to: 4. Development of individual and collective (abridged and modified version of the work of relations of a member of the family / assessment as part of the professional team under a threat of eviction / what are the rea- the Bureau for Social Activities, professional and sons for the eviction / how and where did the household with the social environment (findings and opinion) with the use of the fol- methodological instruction and manuals; Book the dynamics of the relations as part of lowing procedures: insight into documents person live previously / reasons for the situa- 1, Skopje 2007 p. 26-28) tion / vision for the future the family group – public and private, forensic expertise, coop- 9.2 People threatened with repossession the quality of relations and their impact eration with individuals, with experts and fo- SOCIAL WORKER for occurrence and addressing of problems rensics, inspection (at the housing place) of ownership by the owner due to unsettled In the initial assessment phase (anamnesis) mortgage/ why has the home been mortgaged - Develops individual and collective assess- the social worker establishes the social and ment as part of the professional team (findings Professional Receptionist / vision for the future economic status of the beneficiary, monitors 10.1.People living under the threat of vio- and opinion) 1.Reception of a social case at the Social and converses with the person, collects and In the planning phase (social prognosis), the Welfare Centre lence, and the police acts with the aim of en- analyses information of different sources, de- suring safe housing of the domestic violence psychologist participates in: - receipt of the submission scribes the risk. development of measures for support and receipt of a telephone call, while making victim / how many times has the person re- In the diagnostic phase, the social worker is ported domestic violence and where/ what protection for the individual work with the notes involved in preparation of individual and of a beneficiary or a personal contact with a person who has the police done to protect the person / collective assessment of the professional team reasons for the situation / vision for the future defining the potentials, possibilities, weak- reported the case (findings and opinion). nesses and the threats in relation to the ben- 2. Support in compilation of an appropriate 11.2 People living in unconventional facili- In the planning phase (social prognosis), the ties (shelters, substandard cabins) /how long eficiary submission social worker participates in: planning therapeutic techniques and 3. Providing necessary information for the has the person lived in substandard conditions Preparation of measures for support and (description of the conditions) / reasons for the functioning of the mental health submitter in relation to the case procedure protection for individual work with the ben- In the phase of the treatment, the psycholo- 4. Filling in the initial sheet situation /vision for the future eficiary 11.3. People living in temporary structures gist is involved in: 5. Referral to the respective sections Analysis of the resources of the closer and all of the activities prescribed in line with 6. Referral to other institutions, contingent (tents, shacks) / how long has the person lived the wider social environment. in substandard conditions (description of the the individual work plan depending on the on the jurisdiction In the phase of treatment, the social worker beneficiary’s perception of the problem and 7. Undertaking urgent intervention in spe- conditions) / reasons for the situation / vision is involved in all of the activities prescribed for the future potential for overcoming the problem cific situations which endanger the beneficiary by the individual plan of work, depending on In the evaluation and revision phase, the 8. Primary referral to the degree of action the beneficiary’s perception of the problem psychoologist is involved in: priorities (immediate, urgent, regular) The ensuing questions refer to issues which and the likely possibilities for overcoming the refer to health insurance, medical checks revision of the results from the activities problem. conducted as part of the treatment of the Sociologist (steadiness), diseases, contact with the envi- In the phase of evaluation and revision the ronment, monthly income, experience with beneficiary. Participates in the record keeping activities social worker is involved in: revision of the on homeless people in the field and organizes previous housing in social welfare institutions, achieved results from the activities imple- as well as what is the person’s vision for the Lawyer preventive activities for raising public aware- mented as part of the treatment of the ben- 1. Verification of the material and the local ness on homelessness. future. eficiary. The interviewer will need to assess the jurisdiction over the beneficiary Monitors the phenomenon and regularly 2. Verification of the legal status of the ben- briefs the professional team. psychophysical status of the person (physical PSYCHOLOGIST appearance, hygiene, nonverbal communica- eficiary: personal and domestic legal status, Organizes accommodation for the homeless In the diagnostic phase of the work with the working status, tenancy status, property status, people in appropriate institutions (centre for tion, linguistic communication, readiness for users, the role of the psychologist is to: cooperation) health status (health insurance and an assess- homeless people, health institutions, retire- - Verify the psychological and physical sta- ment of the need of protection, contingent on ment homes) tus of the beneficiary in relation to: the health condition) Cooperates with other institutions and or- intellectual standing (level of functioning 3.Verification of features for the specific liv- ganizations which deal with the homelessness. of general and specific capacities) emotional standing (level and functioning of the mental health) social standing (assessment of the adaptation and of the use of capacities) - Verifies the status of relations at the level 98 99 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

7.4. Generally, the homeless people must partici- target group. pate in the coverage of the fee for the thera- SYSTEM FOR SUPPORT peutic communities. It is one of the ways for Enabling employments: development of practicing independence and instilling respon- professional training programmes and pro- OF HOMELESS PEOPLE sibility. grammes for re-qualification, possibilities for It is advisable that support system for home- -reception for urgent assistance (reception In the institutions for homeless people it is subsidized employment or direct access to less people comprises 4 (four) types of activities: points for care and health care, community mandatory to organize education – with profes- employment in state-owned and private com- 1 - Prevention food centres, reception points for personal hy- sional and psychological dimension. The psy- panies. 2- Early intervention giene, information reception points) chological support is to be organized by profes- Development of health care and mental 3 – Intervention in crisis 4. Social and professional integration sionals, with the participation of the homeless care counseling services: programmes for cop- 4 – Social and professional integration The social integration refers to people with themselves, who, in the therapeutic community ing with addiction; programmes for change of a homeless status. It aims at enabling reinte- apply the group method of therapy and form lifestyles; systemic solutions for secondary and Prevention - early intervention - ntervention gration into the society and securing indepen- the so-called mutual help groups.1. In the thera- tertiary health care; enabling daily work at the in crisis - integration dence. The social integration has different di- peutic community the homeless people need to homeless centre. mensions (economic, psychological, social, and participate in the group as equal partners. Institutional changes: complete staffing The support needs to be implemented in co- legal) The residents in the centres and in the of professional services in the Social Welfare operation with the governmental, non-govern- Due to the wide diversity of the homeless training-residences need to be provided with a Centres who would deal with this problematic; mental and the business sector. The religious people, a corresponding diversity in the insti- possibility of employment (workshops, courses, development of a policy based on evidence communities could also give their contribution tutions dealing with homeless people is neces- trainings), and improvement of their work hab- through establishing the number of homeless here. sary, where the level of support and assistance its, to be able to be more competitive on the who sleep on the street and measuring the se- 1.The preventive forms of action towards the will be adapted to the level of motivation of the labour market. verity of the homelessness; legal amendments homeless focus on employment and housing. people for overcoming homelessness. According to the practice in other countries, to facilitate obtaining of documents; facilita- People with symptoms of entering homeless- Enabling inclusion (work, sport, cultural, edu- the homeless people may be provided with a tion of the procedure for accommodation in ness should be immediately offered an employ- cation activities) and independence may also personal assistant, who will help support the the centre for homeless in Cicino Selo; greater ment. In particular, attention should be brought occur in the institutions which house homeless process of their reintegration. adaptability in the use of community food cen- to families who live in substandard conditions, people. Mutual help groups – groups for mutual tres; development of a clearly defined system illegal housing and families facing a risk of los- The shelters or the training-residences seem support with the participation of a therapist. for social and professional integration, through ing their home or rented housing. to be most conducive for the accomplish- People with similar problems are organized cooperation and coordination of various in- 2.Early intervention is implemented through ment of the above goal, due to their size and together, give mutual support in addressing volved parties (institutions, civil sector, business identification of different at-risk groups and un- a smaller number of residents. According to the problems (single mothers, parents of sick community, homeless people). dertaking all possible measures for the people the Macedonian Law on Social Protection, the children) Intersectoral collaboration and coherence or families displaying symptoms of homeless- training-residence may resemble a therapeutic between the governmental and the civil sector: ness. Particualr role in this type of activities community. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROVIDING social agreements between the governmental have the Social Welfare Centres, the visiting Law on Social Protection, Article 147-а SUPPORT TO HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM and non-governmental sector; more structured services, visiting social workers of the city of /09.2015 THE GROUP WORK AT THE CONFERENCE - inclusion of the religious and the business com- Skopje and the religious communities. (The The therapeutic community provides tem- HOMELESSNESS AROUND US – PUBLIC, munities; support to the active socially-en- main activities refer to a detailed overview of porary housing of people who use/abuse drugs HIDDEN, POTENTIAL gaged association of citizens; creation of teams the income, housing, property situation, work, and other psychotropic substances and precur- of association of citizens, institutions and other family, and health insurance) sors, conducts re-socialization through psycho- 1. PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS concerned parties for field work; encourag- 3. Intervention in crisis refers to people who logical and social treatment during a certain Recommendations for the public institu- ing citizen organizations in other cities in the have entered homelessness. time-period, through programme and method tions, the civil sector and the business com- country that would work on this subject-matter; The activities focus on: of self-respect and active inclusion of the ben- munity: greater participation of the municipalities. Providing housing (centre/ reception cen- eficiary in the therapeutic programme; provides Provision of housing: use of public-private tre for homeless with a new concept or support- services related to nutrition, stay, housing, hy- partnership for securing housing; opening of 2.HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS ed training-housing– therapeutic community) gienic maintenance and cultural or social ac- sleep-over places and day-centres; improve- Recommendations for the public institutions, Provision of food, clothes, and health care tivities. The detailed conditions for the manner ment of the conditions in the subsidized col- the civil sector and the business community: Necessary activities: of implementation of the re-socialization pro- lective housing; de-centralization of the hous- Improvement of the information-sharing - activities of the visiting social workers gramme in the therapeutic community shall be ing services in other cities in the country; use and the conditions in the non-institutionally - sleepover reception points prescribed by the minister. of state property for the housing needs of this supported collective accommodation: dissem- 100 101 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

ination of information for the services and the 3. POTENTIAL HOMELESSNESS *Development of an informal network – plat- social agenda. options of non-institutional support; develop- Recommendations for the public institu- form which will lobby for increased visibility and *More frequent discussions and forums be- ment of packages of social welfare and servic- tions, civil sector and the business community: prioritization of the homelessness in the public tween the various stakeholders. es available to the users of non-institutional Dissemination of information on who/what/ housing; completion of professional staffing how can they be supported: counseling on le- of non-institutional housing, permanently galization of buildings / housing; assistance on available for the beneficiaries; development of the matters of use of their social rights (such as: programmes for psychological and social sup- social financial support, application for social port and individual work with people - victims housing); obtaining personal documents; pro- 7.5. of domestic violence or addicts; initiatives for fessional advice for the rights of the tenants, liaison with the local environment and develop- free legal aid in case of representation of their DEVELOPMENT OF A PLATFORM WHICH ment of a sense of belonging to the community rights in court. Facilitating employments: development of Improvement of the physical living condi- MARRIES THEORY AND PRACTICE programmes for professional skills development tions: subsidized /credit support for improve- or re-qualification, possibilities for subsidized ment of the quality of the home (construction employment or direct access (employment) to materials, access to electricity, water, sewer- less symptomatically address this problem in state-owned and private companies; develop- age); social packages for subsidized use of elec- The webpage “Homelessness.mk“ (Bezdom- Macedonia, testifies for the real capacity of the ment of alternative measures for employment; tricity, water and sewerage services. nistvo.mk) provides an interactive presentation country to address this problem. It also points stimulus for continuing education through Facilitating employments: development of the state of homelessness in Macedonia, in to eventual partnerships which may pave the scholarships and subsidized use of services in of professional training programmes or pro- accordance with the findings of the research way forward in addressing homelessness in the student campuses. grammes for re-qualification, possibilities for conducted by Public. Macedonia. Development of programmes for strength- subsidized employment or direct access to The definition on homelessness developed The guidelines – specific recommendations, ening capacities of independent life and rein- employment in state-owned and private com- as part of this research, along with the basic a methodological package for work with home- tegration: providing possibilities for indepen- panies. theoretical aspects presented on the web-page, less people start an initiative for creation of a dent or shared housing to be fully or partially Development of programmes for social pre- have the purpose of expanding the public per- resource of invaluable use for the institutions subsidized by state/local funds; additional care vention and early intervention by the multidis- ception of homelessness and the organizations that work with this vul- in the daily life and gradual increase of the ca- ciplinary teams, focusing on issues such as: life The naming and the description of the nerable category of people. pacities for administration of the household; skills for addressing day-to-day problems, finan- categories of homeless people identified in The aim of the platform Homelessness is monitoring of the manner in which people face cial literacy, development of work habits, com- Macedonia in line with the European (ETHOS) to update itself with inputs by the institutions challenges in the new situation (professional bating family violence and addiction; marking / categorization of homelessness, create a joint and the organizations who work with homeless and social integration). identification of at-risk groups and provision of “language” for all the stakeholders dealing with people and by representatives of the Academia. Institutional changes: for the persons who timely assistance through a system of visiting this social phenomenon in our country. On the In this manner, the platform becomes a had left the institution for children without social workers. other side, the nomenclature and the agree- channel of communication between the theo- parents and parental care; there is a need for Intersectoral cooperation and coordination ment by the stakeholders to use the ETHOS retical findings and the good global practices increased adaptability of the record-keeping between the public and the civil sector: greater classification, place Macedonia on the map of and the realistic perception of the homeless- system for unemployed persons, as well as in re- inclusion of the local self-government in the European countries which approach this prob- ness in Macedonia with all of the existing chal- lation to the location for the use of subsidized system of social protection of these people lem in a coordinated manner. lenges and problems specific to the local con- housing; development of control mechanisms and development of local support programmes The reporting of the mapped institutional text, regarding the issue of homelessness. for pronounced measures, particularly in cases based on partnership with the civil sector and or non-institutional initiatives which more or of domestic violence; free legal aid. the business-community; increased coordina- Intersectoral cooperation and coherence be- tion between the civil sector and the local self- tween the governmental and the civil sector: government; more structured inclusion in the decentralization of services; greater inclusion business-sector and the religious communities; of the local self-government in the system for organization of humanitarian actions (furni- social protection and social housing; develop- ture, construction materials) for improvement ment of measures for more effective prevention of housing conditions. and timely and swift reaction in crisis through Basic principles: the system of visiting services and social work- *Inclusion of a target group with their pro- ers. posals. 102 103 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

RED CROSS OF THE CITY OF SKOPJE and legal services and provides employment The Red Cross of the City of Skopje makes support, as well as organizes regular sales of use of two active programmes to provide assis- the Face to Face Street Magazine, and, when tance to homeless people. The first programme necessary, accompanies the persons to the re- VIII is focused on homeless people and their needs, spective institutions. and the other one focuses on a wider group of Temporary Shelter vulnerable categories of people, including the The temporary shelter is regularly open for Initiatives for Support of the homeless. homeless people with deteriorated health. The shelter is also active during winter times, when Homeless Persons in Macedonia RECEPTION POINT FOR the temperature drops below 10 degrees, and HOMELESS PEOPLE is supported by on-call, motorized Red Cross The reception point for homeless people in teams, deployed in the field, available for 24 Momin Potok is open on Fridays. On Mondays, hours per day. it is open only for hygienic services of its users. Visiting Social Services It is regularly visited by 65 homeless people, The Red Cross of the City of Skopje engages of which 45 people come on Fridays. Since its three visiting social workers who detect peo- opening, in 2008, some 170 homeless people ple and families at risk, including the category have been registered to use its services. of homeless people. Their role is to identify the Hygienic Services problems of the people at risk and refer them Prior to receiving any other services, the to all available resources, in the community homeless people may take a bath and get and the city. clean clothes. They can collect their laundry The citizens may support actions of the the following Friday. Red Cross targeting homeless people through Primary Health Care donation of clothes, food, hygienic needs and The people in the reception point receive blankets. Donations may be brought at the free primary health care and medicine. In case storehouse of the Skopje City Red Cross, in of a need of further medical care, alternative Momin Potok. solutions are sought after for coverage of the The citizens may report homeless people expenses and provision of state-subsidized ac- on the tel. 02/3139 578. commodation. At this level, no systemic solutions have Clothes reception points for homeless people been developed for provision of medical treat- and other socially vulnerable categories of citi- ment to persons lacking health insurance and zens – In June 2014, the Red Cross of the City personal documentation. of Skopje opened up a second-hand clothes Psychological Assistance reception point in Momin Potok, aimed for The goal of the psychological assistance is the socially vulnerable groups of people, to strengthen the personal responsibility, the where they can get clothes, by using Red Cross decision-making processes and the activities vouchers. of the homeless people, in order to ensure a Additionally, eight containers for donation positive build-up of their personality. of clothes have been set up in Skopje, Bitola, Social Work Ohrid and Struga. The clothes-donation proj- The social worker prepares social anam- ect is supported by the Skopje Alfa Bank. nesis of the new homeless persons, updates the existing files, provides counseling, facili- FACE TO FACE STREET MAGAZINE – The tates the obtaining of personal identification magazine was first launched in September documents, issues certifications for all users, 2012 and it promotes the social entrepreneur- assists and supports the illiterate in filling in ship model. Its vendors are drawn from the the papers, facilitates provision of free dental most vulnerable groups of the society, includ- 104 105 Homelessness around us - public hidden potential Homelessness around us - public hidden potential

ing the homeless people. Half of the sales goes Every Saturday a regular food-sharing event Bibliography directly to the vendors, whereas the other half takes place in front of the Mother Theresa Me- is used for printing purposes as well as other morial House, supported by the True Acts of activities of the Face to Face programme. Kindness and the Twitter initiative. The first The vendors also go through an educational such event was organized on 29 December programme for improvement of their commu- 2013. nication and selling skills, boosting their self- confidence and motivation, as well as direct FRESHIS meetings with representatives of companies Freshis is the first restaurant with social re- Bell, D and Eiser, D. (2014) Inequality In Scotland: felt, C. and Van Rijn, M. (2014) Preparatory Report where organized sales of the Face to Face sponsibility in the country, which donates 34 Trends, Drivers, And Implications For The Indepen- – The Netherlands Housing, Homelessness and So- magazine take place. percent of its profit to social aims. It opened in dence Debate. Stirling: University of Stirling. cial Policy in Europe: Information regarding afford- Some of the companies offer employment May 2015 and it cooperates with the NGO True able housing, homelessness and housing policies to the magazine vendors who have the neces- Acts of Kindness where it donates food on a Benjaminsen, L. and Bastholm Andrade, S. (2015) in the Netherlands. Erasmus Intensive Program: sary qualifications. Three such magazine ven- weekly basis. It also cooperates with the NGO “Testing a Typology of Homelessness Across Wel- University of Tilburg. Available at: http://www. dors have secured employment through the Re-Tweet a Meal where on Saturdays they man- fare Regimes: Shelter Use in Denmark and the USA”, tilburguniversity.edu/upload/045ea11b-8327-47ea- programme. age to provide food for some 150 people. Food Housing Studies,30.6 : 858-876. 8883-75ff18340581_Netherlands_Erasmus_IP.pdf The Face to Face magazine regularly raises from Freshis is also donated to the community Accessed: 05.04.2016 awareness on the issue of homelessness. food service in the Gjorce Petrov Church of Ss. Benjaminsen, L. and Dyb, E. (2008) “The Effective- ness of Homeless Policies – Variations among the Peter and Paul. Dekleva, B. and Razpotnik, S. (2007) Brezdomstvo Scandinavian Countries”, European Journal of v Ljubljani [Homelessness in Ljubljana], Ljubljana: Action – a day with a homeless person – A Homelessness, Vol. 2 : 45-67 Pedagoska fakulteta, Univerza v Ljubljani. promotional action was carried out with the COMMUNITY FOOD SERVICES homeless people, as part of which artists MLSP – The Community Food Services is a Benjaminsen, L. and Dyb, E. (2008) “Homeless Strat- Димитријоска, С. (2011) Студија за Национални spend an entire day with a homeless person, project of the Ministry of Labour and Social egies and Innovations”, in: E. O’Sullivan, V. Busch- програми и бенефиции во рамките на and then go on to produce a themed work of Policy which started in 2007. According to Geertsema, D. Quilgars and N. Pleace (eds.) Home- системот на социјална заштита во Република art (short story, song, photography, drawing). the data, some 49 community food services lessness Research in Europe, pp. 123-142. Македонија,Скопје. Available at: http://www. These were later on published in the Face to operate in the country, catering to some 4000 nacionalnakomisija.gov.mk/sites/default/files/pri- Face magazine. people. Busch-Geertsema, V. (2016) Rehousing projects for kachyvanja/studija_za_nacionalni_programi_i_ben- single homeless persons: Innovative approaches in eficii_vo_ramkite_na_sistemot_na_socijalna_zash- RE-TWEET A MEAL AND TRUE ACTS Macedonian Orthodox Church a Germany. Bremen: GISS. tita_vo_republika_makedonija_2011.pdf Accessed: OF KINDNESS nd the Catholic Church 05.04.2016. Hot meal, rice and meat is most often Community food services have been opened Busch-Geertsema,V., Benjaminsen, L., Filipovič shared by this initiative. Each Saturday, at in Skopje, by the Macedonian Orthodox Church Hrast, M. and Pleace, N. (2014) Extent and Profile Donevska, M. (2011) Study of Poverty and Social Ex- noon, before the Mother Teresa Memorial Ss. Peter and Paul as part of the Gjakonia hu- of Homelessness in European Member States: A clusion in the Republic of Macedonia. Skopje: Lud- House, homeless people come to have a hot manitarian organization. A community food Statistical Update 4, EOH Comparative Studies on wig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights. meal provided by the True Acts of Kindness service is also available under the auspices of Homelessness, Brussels: European Observatory on and the Twitter-supported initiative. There is the Macedonian Orthodox Church in Veles. Homelessness. Donevska, M. (2003) “Main Features of Poverty in also an open Facebook group, which invites The Catholic Church in Skopje also offers the Republic of Macedonia with Special Analysis of Busch-Geertsema, V. and Fitzpatrick, S. (2008) “Ef- everyone who is willing to help to give an idea, services to the homeless people. Roma Urban Community”, Old and New Poverty in fective Homelessness Prevention? Explaining Reduc- Post-Communist Europe. Krakow. suggestion, provide logistics, and other prod- tions in Homelessness in Germany and England”, ucts. Food Bank Macedonia European Journal of Homelessness, Vol. 2 : 69-95. Donevska, M. (2004) “Approaches to Social Problem The True Acts of Humanity has started its This NGO collects food prior to its expiry Cahill, N. (2014) „Financing of Social Housing in Solving in the Republic of Macedonia During the Pe- activities in 2013 and, in cooperation with the deadline and distributes it through the com- Selected European Countries”, NESC Secretariat riod of System Transformation”, in: M. Niezgoda (ed.) citizens, donates food, clothes, sheets, and munity food services or through organizations Papers, No. 11. The Consequences of Great Transformation, Krakow: other necessities for the homeless. that work with vulnerable groups. Jagiellonian University. Center for Regional Policy research and Cooperation STUDIORUM (2004) Report on poverty housing situa- Donevska, M. 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About PUBLIC...

PUBLIC is an independent association for research, communications and development which takes particular interest in issues of social inclusion, social entrepreneurship and social innovation, social impact as well as media and the media culture, with a specific focus on the democratization processes in the society. With the first issue of the FACE to FACE Magazine out of print in September 2012, PUBLIC was able to develop a thorough insight into the realities of the marginalized groups in Macedonia and further explore their needs through an in-depth academic research. Today, each of the focus groups of the FACE to FACE Magazine (homeless people, socially disadvantaged individuals, people with special needs, women-victims of violence, refugees) have defined the focus of our research and have prompted our interest in their actual problems and its underlying reasons. Currently underway PUBLIC has a number of projects, namely the regional projects - Challenges and Opportunities for Employment of Marginalized People in the Social Entrepreneurship, Social Services and Migration: Stakeholder Integration and Coordination for Improved Service to Emigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seek- ers in Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia and The Media Circle – Citizen Response on Corruption and Clientelism in the Media, as well as one national project - The Civil Society - Active or Passive Factor of the Societal Changes.

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