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The Magazine of FEANTSA -The European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless AISBL 19 16 13 11 8 5 3 2 IN THISISSUE Commission is not responsible for any use that may that use any for responsible not is Commission be made of the information contained herein. contained information the of made be Svetlana Stephenson transformation inRussia Homelessness andsocial Liz Gosme tofacethefacts Time European socialreality: Child homelessnessasa Crane M.andWarnes A.M. and changes United Kingdom:continuities Older homelesspeopleinthe Dragana Avramov deprivation Demography andhousing Jean-Philippe Horréard in Paris Migration andhomelessness Paul Sheehan European UnionlabourMobility in Cork,Ireland: Theimpactof Migration andHomelessness Christina Bohman Maria BoustedtHedvall& Ann Jönsson,AnnikaRemaeus, responsibilities multiple faces, Homelessness inSweden– Editorial FEANTSA is supported financially supported is FEANTSA by the European Commission. European the by The views expressed herein are herein expressed views The those of the author(s) and the and author(s) the of those Change andHomelessness Social andDemographic Autumn 2007 Change andHomelessness Social andDemographic people inthe people inthe homeless homeless Kingdom Kingdom Page 13 Page United Page 13 Page United Older Older 2 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 Editorial which reoccur throughout thedifferent and accessiblehousing.These are themes less populationanddeclinein affordable women andmigrants;agingof thehome- less; thegrowing numbersofhomeless meet theneedsofpeoplewho are home- adopted: howthehealthsystem failsto problematic trends andtheapproaches ness inSwedenandhighlightsthemain results ofarecent mappingofhomeless- graphic change.Itbringstogetherthe tion tothethemeofsocialanddemo- Sweden offers acomprehensive introduc- National Board ofHealthandWelfare in The articlefrom ourcontributorsinthe are neededtocounterthis. living inEurope andthattargetedactions enjoyment offundamentalrightsbypeople areas are impactingnegativelyonthe ness. Itisclearthatthechangesinthese developments mayimpactonhomeless- tection, needtobeaware ofhowpolicy care, immigration, housingandsocialpro- policies inareas suchashealth,long-term icy-makers workingacross thespectrumof EU inorder to beeffective. Conversely, pol- social anddemographiclandscapeinthe exclusion, needstotakeaccountofthe ple suffering homelessnessandhousing homelessness andmeettheneedsofpeo- develop policiestoprevent andreduce The workthatiscurrently takingplaceto policy-making onhomelessnessinEurope. heart ofthereflection forforward-looking It isclearthatthesetrends needtobeatthe homelessness across Europe doesemerge. and demographictrends impactingon overview ofsometheprincipalsocial offer an exhaustiveanalysis,aninteresting beyond thescopeofthismagazineto social andpoliticalfactors.Whileitis range ofmicro andmacro economic, subject, encompassing,asitdoes,abroad in Europe. Thisisclearlyaverycomplex files ofpeopleexperiencinghomelessness experience ofhomelessnessandthepro- these changeshavebecomevisibleinthe text hasevolvedacross theEUandhow of howthesocialanddemographiccon- by researchers, inorder tooffer apicture the ground, andthechangesdocumented service providers andpublicauthoritieson edition bringstogethertheexperienceof nomenon ofhomelessness.Thepresent are havingamajorimpactonthephe- the changingsocialfabricacross theEU position oftheEuropean populationand graphic change.Theevolutionofthecom- focuses ontheimpactofsocialanddemo- This editionofthe FEANTSA magazine dearbhal.murphy@feantsa.or come: youcansend them to tion ofthe Your commentsandquestionsonthis edi- tors tothiseditionofHomeless inEurope. its gratefulthankstoallofthe contribu- As always, profiles ofhomelesspeople. ground, impactonhomelessnessandthe indeed othersocietieswithaSovietback- the socialtransformationofRussia,and ic andpoliticalfactorsthatare atplayin understanding ofhowthemacro econom- exclusion. Thissnapshotoffers anuanced atic growth inhomelessnessandhousing post SovietRussiahascreated aproblem- nomic transitionfrom theSovietUnionto examination ofhowthesocialandeco- impacts onhomelessnessthrough her complex overviewofhowsocialchange researcher SvetlanaStephensonoffers a responses thatit calls for. Finally, homelessness andtheparticularpolicy problematic European trend towards child population. LizGosmehighlightsthe meeting theneedsofanaginghomeless people intheUKandchallengesof Maureen Cranefocusesonolderhomeless in theprofiles ofthehomelesspopulation. trends and howtheyhavebecomevisible Gosme focusondifferent demographic Crane and in policyplanning.Researcher Maureen factors thatneedtobetakenintoaccount can servetocapture arangeofpredictive and socialfactorshowdemography complex interplaybetweendemographic phy canoffer. Herarticlehighlightsthe system”thatdemogra- the “earlywarning Researcher DraganaAvramov highlights the focusofarticle. understand andapproach thisproblem are ing exclusioninthecity. Theefforts to complexity ofthehomelessnessandhous- significantly contributedtothescaleand from allovertheworldwhichhavealso there are substantial migrationinflows them toaccesssocialwelfare. InParis, by alegalprovision makingitdifficult for workers, whosesituationiscomplicated European migrant lessness amongEastern Ireland there is a growing trend ofhome- Department ofhealthandsocialaffairs. In integration unitintheParisCityCouncil Philippe Horréard, headofsocialcrisisand isation CorkSimoninIreland andbyJean- tributed byPaulSheehanfrom theorgan- lessness are thefocusofarticlescon- magazine. Immigrationflowsandhome- articles ofthiseditionthe FEANTSA FEANTSA FEANTSA would liketoextend magazine are wel- policy officer Liz g FEANTSA . • * SITUATION 1. seen through fourdifferent situations: The NationalBoard ofHealthandWelfare defineshomelessnessas the wholegroup ofhomelesspeoplewas41. mapping tookplace.Three-quarters were men.Theaverageageof ment period.Itwas2,000-3,000more thanin1999, whenthelast Approximately 17,800peoplewere homelessduringthemeasure- most recent measurement ofhomelessnessinSweden. In 2005TheNationalBoard ofHealthandWelfare carriedoutthe work. ment andmappinghasprovided valuableknowledge forfurther for localandnationalmeasurement. Theworkofmethod develop- providing supportforlocalactivitiesanddevelopment ofmethods ment worktocombathomelessnesssince2002.Thishasinvolved The NationalBoard ofHealthandWelfare hascarriedoutdevelop- play incombatinghomelessness. needed, andmanystakeholdershavearesponsibility andarole to ties andproblems apersonmayhave.Manydifferent measures are Homelessness isaprobleminitself, do nothaveanyotherproblems apartfrom thelackofahome. important tonotethatthere are peopleamongthehomelesswho poverty, unemployment,loweducation,poorhealth.Butitisalso However, homelessnessisstrongly associatedwithsocialexclusion– ual hashis/herownstoryofwhyhe/sheendeduphomeless. ty ofmany. There isnota“typical homelessperson”;eachindivid- Homelessness takesmanyformsanditistherefore theresponsibili- broader perspectiveare essentialcomponentsofthisplan. between different stakeholdersandviewinghomelessnessina lessness istobeconductedinthenextthree years.Collaboration forhowtheworktocombathome- on behalfofthegovernment In June,theNationalBoard ofHealthandWelfare presented aplan Sweden Welfare, and Health of Board National By multiple responsibilities Homelessness inSweden–multiplefaces, increase thathastaken placeinthisgroup. addiction andmentalproblems asapossibleexplanationforthe the deficienciesinhealthcare andsocialservicesforpeoplewith The NationalBoard ofHealthandWelfare hasdrawnattentionto fit fund,sicknessbenefitordisabilitybenefit. on financialsupportfrom thesocialservices,unemploymentbene- year. Mostofthemwere whollyunemployedandwere dependent people. More thanhalfhadbeenhomelessforlongerperioda third hadmentalproblems. Inmany cases, thesewere thesame Two-thirds ofthepeopleinSituation1hadaddictionproblems, one increase inthelattergroup. hostels. Acomparisonbetween1999and2005showsalarge refuges, emergencyaccommodation,hotels,campsitesoryouth them were sleepingrough. 2,700people livedinhostels,women’s of themostvulnerablehomelesspeople.Approximately 900of n öso,Ank eau,MariaBoustedtHedvall AnnikaRemaeus, Ann Jönsson, About 3,600peoplewere includedinthisgroup regardless oftheotherdifficul- and thedevelopmentofhousing marketare importantaspects. turing ofcare ofaddicts, unemployment,increased mentalillness lie behindthisincrease. De-institutionalisationinpsychiatry, restruc- recent decades,anumberofchangesinsocietycanbeassumed to Homelessness inSwedenhasincreased sincethe1999mapping.In outsidetheNordicand familyproblems countries. withpeopleborn mon tofindmentalproblems, unemployment,financialproblems intheNordic countries,whereaswith peopleborn itismore com- Nordic countries.Itistwiceascommontofindaddictionproblems problem picture inSweden andthe compared withpersonsborn outsidetheNordic countriesshowaslightlydifferentPersons born compared with12percentofthewholepopulation. sented, accountingfor26percentofallhomelesspersonslisted outside Swedenwere over-repre-In the2005surveypeopleborn Nordic countriesamongthehomelesshasincreased. outsidethe Since 1999,theproportion ofwomenandpersonsborn more oftenhaveaddictionproblems. are more oftenlistedashavingmentalproblems whilethemen problems, forexampledivorce orviolenceinthefamily. Thewomen The women’s problem picture ismore oftencharacterisedbyfamily age. Itisalsomore commonthatthewomenlivewith theirchildren. more oftenlistedasparents ofchildren youngerthan18yearsof have beenhomelessforshorterperiodsthanthemen.Theyare ing rough orliveinhostels.Thewomenonaverageare youngerand Previous mappingsalsorecord thatmenare more likelytobesleep- It isstillmore commonformentobehomeless than women. homeless. Big differences canbeseen unknown forabout1,100people. The homelessnesssituationduringthemeasurement periodwas in solvingtheirhousingsituation. applied tothesocialservicesoranotherorganisationforassistance had sublettingcontractsshorterthanthree months. Theyhad They livedtemporarilywithoutcontractswithrelatives orfriends, housing arrangedfortheirrelease, dischargeormove. institution orsupportedaccommodationwithouthavingany from prisonwithinthree monthsordischargedfrom somekindof 2. Thisgroup consistsofpeoplewhowere intendedtobereleased * SITUATION 4. * SITUATION 3. * SITUATION 2. been arrangedforanyfuture dischargeormove. was notplannedinthenextthree months,buthousinghadnot homes orinsomeformofsupportedaccommodation.Discharge a riskforfuture homelessness.Theywere stayingintreatment 3. Thisgroup includedpeoplewithinsecure housingsolutions,with & Christina Bohman, Approximately 4,700peoplewere inthissituation. About 6,400peoplefoundthemselvesinsituation Nearly 2,000peoplefoundthemselvesinsituation within the group ofpeoplelistedas

Sw ed e n 3 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 4 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 different stakeholdersistherefore necessary. labour marketpolicyandintegrationpolicy. Collaboration between affects anumberofpolicyareas such ashealthandmedicalpolicy, poverty are factorsthatare veryimportant. Homelessnessthus therefore required. Unemployment,loweducation,segregation and There are manyreasons forhomelessnessanddifferent solutionsare from homelessness. social services,despitetheirnothavinganyotherproblems apart ular” housingmarketbecomelarger. Theybecomeclientsofthe ancy agreement, thegroups ofpeoplewhodonotfitintothe“reg- increasingly highdemandsare madeforobtainingafirst-handten- homes andaboutthewaythathousingmarketworks.When lessness isverymuchahousingpolicyissue.Itaboutbuilding becomes theresponsibility ofthesocialservices.However, home- necessary toassistpersonscopewiththeirhousing,anditthen focus. Onmanyoccasions,variousformsofsocialsupportmaybe have beenhighlightedwhilethelackofahomehaslessin possible needsofhomelesspeopleforhealthcare and treatment treated asanissueofsocialpolicyratherthanhousing policy. The In thepastdecade,lackofhousinghastoanincreasing extentbeen therefore oftenreferred toas“thesecondaryhousingmarket”. housing isprovided alongsideoftheregular housingmarketandis transitional, supportedaccommodationhavebeencreated. This established astenantsintheregular housingmarket.Temporary and in municipalitiesforpeoplewhohavenotsucceededbecoming At thesametime,anumberofspecialsolutionshavebeenarranged It isbecomingincreasingly difficult toqualifyforthehousingmarket. tenancy agreement. from thesocialservicesasasource ofincometoobtainafirst-hand cate atrend towards landlords notacceptingfinancialassistance evaluations madebytheNationalBoard ofHealth andWelfare indi- Sweden. Thisisnotonlyamatteroflackrented apartments.The increasing hard climatecanbenotedinthehousingmarket that landlords makeforenteringintoatenancyagreement. An lessness. Thisappliesbothtoaccesshousingandthedemands Housing policyiscontinuouslychangingandthisalsoaffects home- ing atenancyagreement. young peoplegettingintodebtandthushavingproblems inobtain- obtaining fastloanswithoutcredit assessmenthaveledtorisksfor have beenidentifiedasanewriskgroup. Theopportunitiesfor to elderlypersonswithdementiaormentalproblems. Young men weak financialsituationandaninsecure housingsituation,butalso homeless. Thisappliesparticularlytofamilieswithchildren witha The focushasalsobeendirected tonewgroups inriskofbecoming care oftheelderlyhasbeenemphasised. tal disabilities.Recently, theneedforhealthcare, dentalcare and access tocare ofaddictsandcare andsupportforpersonswithmen- also mentallyill.Asbefore, attentionhasbeendrawntothelackof homeless”, i.e.singlemenwithaddictionproblems whoare perhaps In recent years,newneedshavebeennoticedamongthe“classical clear userperspectiveshouldpermeateallthemeasures taken. tion ofpeoplewhoare orhavebeenhomeless.Collaborationanda The workofcarryingoutthisstrategyrequires theactiveparticipa- individual’s ownresources. method ofworkshallaimatmakinguseandstrengthening the son where heorsheisandrespond tohisorherspecificneeds.This combating homelessness,itisnecessarytomeettheindividualper- to tell–andtheirownthoughtsaboutfuture. Intheworkof social conditions.Everyhomelesspersonhashisorherownhistory resentatives ofthecommunityandpeoplewholiveinvulnerable among otherthings,isabouthowmeetingstakeplacebetweenrep- The issueofhomelessnesshasaclearethicaldimension,which, an importantissuetoshedlightoninthiscontext. not beingadmittedtotheregular housingmarket.Discrimination is and takemeasures torectify systemicfaultsthatleadtolargegroups from thehousingmarketistoviewissueinabroad light,tofind A startingpointformeasures tocombathomelessness andexclusion same wayasthe2005survey, istobecarriedoutin2010. A newnationalmapping,whichisorganisedapproximately inthe report in2010. tothegovernment of homelessness.Theresults andfindingswillbe presented ina Methods are tobeproduced tobeablemonitorthedevelopment to beproduced toassistmunicipalitiesinpreventing evictions. methods locallythatare linkedtothefourobjectives. Guidelinesare grantistobeuseddevelopworking ing methods.Agovernment strategy, aswellsupportingthedevelopmentofsuccessfulwork- Compiling andspreading knowledgeisanimportant partofthis organisations. panies andnon-governmental ministries, authorities,municipalities,countycouncils,housingcom- menting thestrategywilltakeplaceonabroad basis–withseveral mission ofleadingtheworkatnationallevel.Theimple- The NationalBoard ofHealthandWelfare hasbeengiventhecom- Thenumberofevictionswillbereduced andnochildren willbe 4. Entryintotheregular housingmarketshallbemadeeasierfor 3. There willbeareduction inthenumberofpeoplecriminal 2. Everyonewillbeguaranteedaroof overhis/herheadandbe 1. Four objectiveshavebeenspecified: covers theperiod2007-2009. homelessness andexclusionfrom thehousingmarket.Thisstrategy adoptedastrategytocombat In February2007,thegovernment evicted. modation. women andmenintemporary, transitionalandsupportedaccom- upon discharge. justice system,andthoseinotherinstitutions,whoare homeless offered furtherco-ordinated measures basedonindividualneeds. • city’s newarrivals,lifeisgood. every industrysectorinCork.Formanyofthe ing European Unioncanbeseeninvirtually wise finddifficult tofill.Thebenefitsofagrow- retail sectors,jobsthatemployerswouldother- They havefilledvacanciesinthehospitalityand tiable appetiteforlabourers andcraftsmen. satisfy theconstructionindustry’s almostinsa- given Corkanewvibrancy. Theyhavehelped sands oftheEuropean Union’s newcitizenshas scape, peopleandlifestyle.Thearrivalofthou- European Unionreflected inthecity’s land- Cork hasarrived,theexpandingborders ofthe 2005. city’s statusasEuropean CapitalofCulture in and musicians,aby-product perhapsofthe rhythms ofadiversemixstreet entertainers accents andlanguagesblendnaturallywiththe multicultural feastfortheears:scores of through Cork’s mainthoroughfare servesupa blocks havesprungupacross thecity. Astroll rise hotelandoffice blocks;newapartment high- tricts havebeentransformedintomodern nental feel;olddocklandandwarehousing dis- impressive newstreetscapes thathaveaconti- effect, totheextentthatcitynowboasts and landformhavebeencombinedtogreat ing years,lifemayjusthaveimitatedart.Light seemed somewhatgrandiose,intheinterven- time thatdescriptionofthecitymighthave language andmusicalaccent.” landform, fusingwithmellifluouscadencesof described Corkas build theproject, architects MurrayO’Laoire stature. Intheirwinningsubmissionin2001to city thatcontinuestogrow inconfidenceand of Music,a 2007. TheCorkInstituteofTechnology School doors forthefirsttimeinearlySeptember A newlandmarkbuildinginCorkopenedits By labour Mobility Ireland: TheimpactofEuropeanUnion Migration andHomelessnessinCork, Paul Sheehan € 60 milliondevelopment,reflects a “a cityoflight,waterand , Cork Simon Cork While atthe the relevant localstatutory, healthandnon- the CorkHomelessForum.Itbrought together Homelessness, CorkCityCouncilestablished Strategyon the wakeofaNationalGovernment to theneedsofpeoplewhoare homeless.In has takenapro-active approach toresponding homelessness iswanting.Since2000thecity It’s notasifCork’s response toissuesaround help orassistance. the citylooksotherway, unabletooffer any well-being canbequickanddevastating.But barriers. Theeffects onpersonalhealthand overwhelming, aggravatedfurtherbylanguage loneliness inunfamiliarsurroundings canbe and onthestreets. Thesenseofisolationand very quicklyfindthemselvesalone,penniless tact withfamilyorfriendsforsupport.Theycan place tolive,withoutameansofmakingcon- selves withoutasource ofincome,withouta of reasons somenewarrivalstoCorkfindthem- can beaburden forothers.Forawholevariety increases inthecostofrenting aplacetolive some instances,notpaidatall.Ongoing that are generallyshort-lived,underpaid,orin end upworkingintheblackeconomyjobs find ithasbeengiventosomeoneelse.Others Some arriveonthepromise ofajob,onlyto requirements toworkonaconstructionsite. the Englishlanguage,noraware ofthelegal ing, theimportanceofareasonable graspof prepared, notappreciating thehighcostofliv- place tolive,ajob,betterlife.Somearriveill- and hopesofsomeimmigrantssecuringa Circumstances conspire tofrustratetheplans arrivals forwhomlifeisnotsogood. respond toasmallbutgrowing numberofnew rapid transformation,thecityitselfstrugglesto tion strugglestounderstandandadaptthis is barely acknowledged.Asthelocalpopula- the confidentoutlookbelieanuneasinessthat But thebrightlights,shinynewfacadesand

Irel an d o,abetterlife." a job, securing aplacetolive, some immigrantsof plans andhopesof the conspire tofrustrate "Circumstances 5 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 6 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 stresses ofsettlingina or thelevelofneeds immigrants whowould immigration toIreland, immigration predicted thelevelof "No-one couldhave have adifficulttime have adjusting tothe some ofthose new country." licly fundedservices,includinghomelessservic- Residency Conditiontoincludeaccesspub- Family Affairs, interpreted theHabitual andSocial& Heritage &LocalGovernment departments–Environment, Government Homeless Agencydiscovered thattwo homelessness amongnewarrivalsinDublin,the Furthermore, duringthecourseofresearch on not entitledtosocialwelfare assistance Applicants whodonotmeetthisconditionare order tobedeemedhabituallyresident. lived inthestateforaperiodoftwoyears for specificsocialwelfare paymentsmusthave Residency Condition.Itdictatesthatapplicants which becameknownastheHabitual to welfare andsocialinsuranceassistance, Ireland howeverimposedrestrictions onaccess states generalaccesstoitslabourmarket. countries toallownationalsoftheaccession ders in2004,Ireland wasoneofonlythree When theEuropean Unionexpandeditsbor- policy.were tiedbynationalGovernment lacked thewilltodoso,butbecauseitshands vide anadequateresponse –notbecauseit made, thecitywouldstillhavestruggledtopro- new country. Butevenifthosepredictions were time adjustingtothestresses ofsettlingina those immigrantswhowouldhaveadifficult tion toIreland, orthelevelofneedssome one couldhavepredicted thelevelofimmigra- specific problemswithintheirareas”. homeless foracouldfollow, regardlessofthe as “… approach toHomelessActionPlanninginCork Associates EconomicConsultants,describedthe Homelessness, conductedin2006byFitzpatrick missioned review ofitsStrategyon com- sion andemergingtrends. AGovernment 2005 totakeaccountofgapsinservice-provi- positive effects. TheActionPlanwasrevised in drawn up,agreed andimplemented,withmany who were homeless.AnActionPlanwas appropriate serviceswere availabletopeople expertise andideastomakesure themost organisationstoshare resources,governmental 1 cy in Ireland; length and purpose of absence from Ireland; nature and pattern of employment; applicants maincentreofinterest applicants cy ofemployment; andpattern inIreland;lengthandpurposeofabsencefromnature including lengthandcontinuity A numberoffactorsaretakenintoaccountwhen establishingifapersonishabituallyresident, an exampleofgoodpracticethatalllocal But no 1 . ly encountered amongserviceusers.Cork needs were verydifferent totheneedsnormal- Centre begantonoticeadistincttrend. Their port begantoincrease, care staff attheDay As thenumberofimmigrantsinneedsup- coming, supportiveenvironment. some respite from thestreets inawarm,wel- The DayCentre isaplacewhere peoplecanget specifically withissuesrelated tohomelessness. to doctors,nursesandcounsellorsthatdeal on theirbehalfwhere necessary. Itoffers access most appropriate homelessservice,advocating advice andsupport,directing peopletothe hot shower, laundryfacilities,butalsooffers dation. Itprovides somebasicneeds–food,a derelict buildingsorotherunsuitableaccommo- for peoplesleepingrough, livinginsquats, The DayCentre isaproject cateringspecifically ing thefirstsixmonthsof2007. trend thatcontinuedthroughout 2006anddur- the numberofnewarrivalsincreased steadily, a that were indifficulty. Astheyearprogressed, began toencounterahandfulofimmigrants became evidentasCorkSimon’s DayCentre 2005, thefirstsignsofthisnewtrend emerging selves homeless.Duringthefirstsixmonthsof could tothosenewarrivalsthatfoundthem- Simon instinctivelyoffered whateversupportit and voluntarismasitscore principles,Cork community, diversity, socialjustice&equality organisation, embracingcommitmenttocare, ber oftheHomelessForum.Asavalues-driven since 1971.TheCommunityisanactivemem- has beensupportingpeoplewhoare homeless this environment too.CorkSimonCommunity part-funded bythestate,havestruggledwithin Service providers, manyofwhichare atleast themselves homeless. the needsofnewarrivalsinCorkwhofind Forum toprovide anymeaningfulresponse to ronment inwhichitisverydifficult forthe of theCorkHomelessForum,creating anenvi- es. Itisthisinterpretation thatbindsthehands ofresiden- . ation forCorkSimonservices. undoubtedly aggravateanalready difficult situ- third andfourthquarters.Ifitdoes,will whether thistrend willcontinueduringthe quarter of2007.There isdisagreement asto 1,800 constructionjobslostduringthesecond suggest thatimmigrantsheldalmost80%of published byIreland’s CentralStatisticsOffice is nosignofthetrend abating.Recentfigures extra costsonitsowninthelongerterm.There Centre, theCommunitycannotsustain Simon hasallocatedextraresources totheDay has supportedover700people.WhileCork this year(JanuarytoJune2007)theDayCentre again toover1,000peoplein2006.Already 450 peoplein2005,andmore thandoubled used theDayCentre; thisdoubledtoalmost speak forthemselves.In2004over200people already over-stretched resources. Thenumbers the addednumbershaveputpressure on ed bymostnewarrivalsusingtheDayCentre, Not withstandingthelowlevelofsupportneed- because itwasfullyoccupiedeverynight. peopleaway as theShelterhadtoregularly turn at theEmergencyShelter. Thisproved difficult Centre secured abedforthemfewnights periods oftime.WheneverpossibletheDay result ofsleepingrough forrelatively longer Centre hadmore complexneeds,usuallyasa number ofimmigrantspresenting attheDay skills makingcommunicationdifficult. Asmall Many immigrantshadpoorEnglishlanguage A bigchallengeforcare staff wasthelanguage. to helppeoplebecomeestablishedandsettled. present fortwotothree days,enoughsupport of supportamongimmigrants.Mostwould tion. Alsonoticeablewastheshort-termnature generally related toincomeandaccommoda- behaviour. Theneedsofmostnewarrivalswere issues, poorphysicalhealthandchallenging homelessness: mentalhealthissues,addiction for acomplexrangeofneedsassociatedwith Simon’s projects andservicesare set-uptocater and caringfashion. managing newsocialtrends inaresponsible demonstrating itsconfidenceandinnovationin Ireland canprove tobealeadinglightin Europe withanincreasingly mobilepopulation, isperfect.Inachanging the Government Strategy currently underreview, thetimingfor an appropriate itsHomeless response. With to acknowledgetheissueexistsandcommit willbe The challengefornationalGovernment level ofneedoverthenexttwotothree years. rent needsofnewarrivalsandestimatethe independent research thatwillassessthecur- services. Thatgroup willshortlycommission consider theneedsofnewarrivalsforhomeless issue anylonger. Ithasestablishedagroup to has decideditcannotremain passiveonthe There issomehope.TheCorkHomelessForum deserve better. benefits somuchfrom theirpresence here that findthemselveshomelessinacountry and 3%toIreland’s GNP. Thosenewarrivals migrant workershaveaddedbetween2.5% and SocialResearch Instituteindicatesthat recent studyconductedbyIreland’s Economic account for11%oftheIrishworkforce. A back ontheirfeetquickly. Immigrantsnow term accommodation,makingsure peopleget guage, withsecuringajobandlong- ing temporaryaccommodation;helpwithlan- would beamore targetedapproach incorporat- needs ofsomeimmigrants.Alow-costoption appropriate inresponding tothelow-support made thatexistinghomelessservicesare not arrivals. Inanycasethere isanargumenttobe unnecessary suffering amongsomenew pressure onhomelessservicesandrelieving but doingsowouldgoalongwaytoalleviating that theConditionwillberepealed orrevised, despite severalrequests todoso.It’s unlikely repealed, ortheinterpretation ofitwidened, the HabitualResidencyConditionbeing eye tothesedevelopments.There isnosignof ablind continuestoturn National Government • 7 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 8 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 By Migration andhomelessnessinParis THE FRENCHCAPITAL POORLY-COUNTED MIGRATION INFLOWSCREATING PERSISTENTHOMELESSNESSIN establishing arighttohousingortemporaryaccommodationenforceable againsttheState ter tohomelessandunder-housed groups, Francehasbrought inaline-upoflegalinstruments Since lastwinter’s SaintMartinCanalcrisiswhichsawanear-300 tentcitysetupinParistogiveshel- 1 30% ofwhichare currently estimatedtobetaken upbyundocumentedmigrants. Paris hasapproximately 5000emergencyaccommodationplacesforunmarriedindividuals, atleast lum statusdeterminationandapplyingfortemporaryaccommodation. asylum claimantsbeinghousedinbed-and-breakfast hotelsinParis,plusanother2000awaitingasy- At present, there are nigh-on6000peopleinfamilieswhoare undocumentedmigrantsorrejected for regularisation oftheirpresence in France. tion inflowsseekingsheltereitherashumanitarianrelief oronalonger-term basispendingahoped- each yearonproviding emergencyaccommodationforcommunitiesresulting from different migra- agenciesare currentlyGovernment spendingthebestpartofParis’100million-pluseuro budget among thesemigrantcommunities. through appealingincentivestovoluntaryrepatriation isarguablythewaytoaddress homelessness uation ofundocumentedmigrantsare well-established. Personalsupportforindividualsincluding The limitsofsolutionslikeexpandingtemporaryaccommodationprovision andregularizing thesit- centres) isonlytriggered byanapplicationforasylum. accommodation provision specificallyforthisgroup ofmigrantsinFrance(asylum-seekerreception As inmostEuropean Unioncountries,theprocess ofresource allocationandaccesstotemporary housing are largelydictatedbytheintentiontosettle permanentlyorotherwiseinFrance. especially where theprocedures forabasicentitlementtotemporaryaccommodationandeventual The official responses tohomelessnesscannoteasilyaddress theverywidediversityofdemands, to meetasteadilygrowing demand,andiscreating anintractablehomelessnessproblem. ing ontheexistenceofamainlyfree supplyoftemporary accommodation,inevitablymakesithard Even so,thescaleofsomemigrationstreams, played into bymanypeople-smugglingnetworksrely- relief infoodandaccommodationtoanyoneneed-includingthosenotlawfullyresident. Paris hasanextensivenetworkofvoluntaryagenciesthatcandeliverbasiclevelshumanitarian relief inthehopeandbeliefofescapingpoverty? women -wholefamiliesevenflocktothecapitalliveahard lifenotwithstandinghumanitarian Is homelessnessinParisfrom different migrationflowsfatedtogetworse,andwhydomen their request rejected, are tosomeextent“condemned”insecurityandexclusion. no establishedethniccommunitynetworkandhavechosennottoseekofficial asylumorhavehad migration ofaparticularforeign communitytowards theFrench capital.Someindividualswhofind There are therefore clearlinksbetweenpersistent“homelessness”andtheeconomicorpolitical although theyhaveoftenbeenexploitedinundeclared work. streets becausetheirplanshavenotworkedoutortheyare seenasnot“fit”forlegitimatework, work becausetheyare notlawfullyresident inFrance.Stillothershaveendeduponthecapital’s Some are passingthrough, headingforotherEuropean capitals;othersare lookingforoff-the-books Paris hasalong-standingproblem takinginandhousinglargenumbersofhomelessimmigrants. therefore hadneitheranyclaimtothenewschemenorprospects ofintegrationinFrance. 300 peopleidentifiedasbeingincrisis,however, more than50were undocumentedimmigrantsand Paris City Council Department of health and social affairs social and health of Department Council City Paris nocal ih oHuig(salsmn)AtN.2007-290of5 March2007. Enforceable RighttoHousing (Establishment) Act No. Jean-Philippe Horréard , Head of social crisis and integration unit. integration and crisis social of Head

F 1 ra .Of the nc e tical meansofimplementationforeachcommunity, whichisnowarguablythewayitmustgo. joined-up solutionsrelevant tothedifferent kindsofhomelessnessencountered, withdifferent prac- andParisCityCouncilagenciesare nowtryingtoworkon lem issuchthatcentralgovernment tled andstayforextremely variablelengthsoftime.In anycase,thediversityandscaleofprob- The censusofmigrantpopulationsinParisisbydefinitionlimitedbecausetheyare anythingbutset- accommodation. accessing thelegallabourmarket inFranceandthefullrangeofhelpforhousingortemporary in thebuildingtrades),maysecure aworkpermitenablingthemtomeettherequirements for It isalwayspossiblethatsomeoftheseworkingpoor, exiledfortheirskillsandknow-how(usually limiting rampantandunpredictable homelessnessandtacklingtheseproblems. Inspections ofcompaniesthathire thiscomplaisantlabourare arguablythemosteffective wayof go, eithermovedonbythepolice,orinresponse towhere theworkis,orweather. obstacle toeffectively meetingtheirdemandforaccommodation.Makeshiftsettlementscomeand The highmobilityofthesegroups ofoftensinglemensupplyinglow-costlabour, however, isan back home. or tents,andsome(Bulgariansinparticular)evenaffirm thattheirlivingconditionswere evenworse But thosesurveyedare notnecessarilydowncast:someare resigned tolivinginmakeshift shelters to demandsforoccasional,generallyundeclared, labour. But fallingtravelcostswillinevitablyboostfuture flows ofwould-bemigrantsgenerallyresponding ty offailure andthepoverty-strickenlivingconditions thatmayawaitthem. neys maywelldeterunskilledprospective migrantswho havenotevencontemplatedthepossibili- sion crews toportraywhatmaybethe real from outcomeoffailedjour- thecountriesconcerned to getthere. Europe) Working orbringingintelevi- withconsularauthorities(especiallyinEastern Europeangrants drivenbyabeliefthatWestern countrieswillprovide workforwhoevermanages Tackling homelessnessrequires amore effective prevention policydirected towards potentialimmi- between street homelesspersonsbystatusornationality. of acoherent, comprehensive measure totackleexclusionthatinParisdoesnottrydiscriminate and understandingtheissue,forwhateversolutionsare offered toformpart thoseconcerned Paris isbeyondthescopeofthisarticle.Nonetheless,keytohomelessnesspolicyidentifying A detailedstudyofthemeasures takenbytheauthorities toprevent andtackletheseproblems in A POLICYBASEDONSPECIFICSUPPORT FORTHEDIFFERENTHOMELESSGROUPS: • • • • were donein2006and2007byvariousstreet workeroutreach patrols andpoliceteams: migration inflowslivingonthestreet orindifferent kindsofmakeshiftshelter. However, spotcounts Outside oftheseplaces,itisparticularlydifficult tocountthenumberofpeopleresulting from nent address, theybecomeunlawfullyresident. for atleastthree monthswith“tourist”status.Beyondthat,withoutaworkpermitorperma- Romania’s entrytotheEuropean Unionnowallowsthemtoenterfreely intoFranceandstayhere “settled” onvariouspatchesofwasteground intheneighbouringSeineSaintDenisdepartment. bly themostnumerous andisestimatedatseveralthousandindividuals,mostofwhomhave ed bythepoliceandshuntedfrom substandard pillartosqualidpost.Thispopulationisproba- Roma familieslivingindifferent informalsettlementsorsquatsaround Parisare frequently evict- who are offered shelterthencare inspecialisedchildwelfare accommodationprovision. viduals, includesmanyunattachedminors(450betweenSeptember2006and2007) Belgium. Thisfloatingpopulationwhich,overayearprobably represents severalthousandindi- ties around theGare duNord railwaystation,thestrategicdeparture pointforCalaisand origin, mostlivinginemergencyshelters,Paris.Othershavetoliveshanty-towncommuni- There are currently alsoestimatedtobemore than500singlemenofAfghan,IraqiandIranian ed afurther300-oddextremely marginalizedPolishnationalslivingonthestreets. A surveydonebyParisCouncil’s departmentofhealth andsocialaffairs inDecember2006count- Europeembankments originatedfrom (Bulgaria,Poland,Ukraine,Romania). Eastern Over halfofthe2000singlepeoplecountedin2006city’s parks,gardens andonringroad exclusion. measure totackle comprehensive of acoherent, form part those concernedto solutions areoffered andforwhatever issue, understanding the identifying and homelessness policy is thekeyto Nonetheless, 9 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 10 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 methods ofsupportby alternatives arestreet alternatives which toaddressthe need to look at other need tolookat "There isthereforea migrants whoseonly insecurity onthese homelessness and growing burdenof growing exclusion." often complexandlaboriousjob,butvitalifweare tofacethefacts... understanding ofwhatexactlyprompts aparticulargroup tochoosethestreet overhostels.Itisan into account.Socialwork,incollaborationwiththelawenforcement authorities,isvitaltoabetter shown theinterest ofagreement-based solutionsinwhichrespect forindividualdignitywastaken Migrant homelessnessisnotfatedtocontinuerisinginParis.Theexperienceofrecent yearshas offered tothoseableorwantingintegrate. August. Othertemporaryaccommodationsolutionsinbed-and-breakfast hotelsorhostelswere also was concludedaspartoftheclearanceaRomacampatVénissieuxinRhônedepartmentlast over ahundred Romatobevoluntarilyrepatriated toRomaniaundersupportedassistanceschemes to tacklingtheriseinnumberofhomelessmigrants“magnet”capitals.Anagreement for (ANAEM) andvariouslocalvoluntarypartnersamongothers,issurely themostsuccessfulsolution runbytheNationalAgencyforReceptionofForeignersthrough andMigration earning, Some “supported”voluntaryrepatriation programmes thatincludespecifichelpforintegration way outofthe“deadend”forsomemigrants. € The results ofincentivestovoluntaryrepatriation are beginningtoshowinFrance.Atanaverage are streetden ofinsecurityonthesemigrantswhoseonlyalternatives homelessness andexclusion. There istherefore aneedtolookatothermethodsofsupportbywhichaddress thegrowing bur- term solution. been maintainedthroughout theyear. Butthisresponse hasabreaking pointandcannotbealong- shelter placesinthecapital.Initiallyaseasonalresponse, thetemporaryaccommodationsupplyhas The response tothesetransitmigrantshasbeensignificantlyexpandthenumberofemergency job thatwillenablethemtorepay the beinghell-bentongettingtoacountrywhere theybelievecannotfailtogeta unconcerned, already beenapprehended inanotherEuropean Unioncountry(usuallyGreece orItaly).Othersare en fouloftheDublinConventionandcannolongerapplyforasyluminFrance,sincetheyhave edge amongstmostofthesegroups aboutprocedures forclaimingasylum.Somehavealready fall- tacts madebythedifferent front-line voluntaryagencieshaverevealed afundamentallackofknowl- For transitmigrantsfrom theMiddleEast,mostaimingforaclandestineentryintoUK,con- by thesegroups. tackling ahomelessnesswidelythoughttobeinescapablebecauseofthedegree ofexclusionfaced ers tohelpovercome thelanguagehurdle isinmanyrespects decisiveingettingmovementand problems, andhelpthrough theoftencomplexmazeofred tape.Bringingindifferent Polish-speak- situations willlinkupinParistotryanddeliverjointsolutionsaccommodationaddiction groups through anetworkapproach inwhichvariousvoluntaryagenciesspecialisedsocialcrisis Several hundred Polishimmigrantsare inthisplight,whichgaverisetotheideaofworkingforthese return, hadbecomesettledinthestreet, making noparticularplansordemandsforhelp. dents, hadbeenexcludedfrom thelabourmarketasaresult ofanaccidentandwithnohope or inter-group violence.Somestreet homelesspeopleencountered, especiallylong-timeParisresi- insecure wayoflife,mostoftenreflected inahighlycommunallifestylethatleadstoalcoholabuse One evidentconsequenceforthesegroups exploitedbyunscrupulousbusinessesisanincreasingly 2000 forasinglepersonand € 3500 forafamily, voluntaryrepatriation assistanceisonepossible € 5000 onaveragepaidtothepeoplesmugglers. • labour market,difficult accesstosocialbenefits are associatedwiththeirweakpositioninthe where deprivationsandrisksofhomelessness adequate skillstocompeteintheeconomyand pendent householdsbefore theyhaveacquired the caseforyoungadultswhosetupinde- In mostEuropean countriesthisisparticularly selves inrisksituationsmore oftenthanothers. digms, particularhouseholdsmayfindthem- dynamics orchangesinsocialprotection para- insecurity associatedwithmacro-economic control ofindividuals,forexampleemployment disruptive livecourseeventsthatare beyondthe a sociallyinsecure environment characterisedby they shouldnotbeviewedashandicaps.But,in come ofunforeseen orforeseeable events– aged are chancesandchoicesthatare theout- lone parent, havingmanychildren orbeing family composition.Livingasasingleperson, graphic characteristicssuchasage,genderand connected tothecombinedeffects ofdemo- Social vulnerabilitiesofindividualsare strongly building. intergenerational equityaselementsinpolicy dynamics, intergenerationalrelationships and spective thattakesintoaccountlife-course ing ofwelfare regimes require along-termper- adaptations andreform andsustainablefund- able andpossiblepopulationscenarios.Social tation andreform basedontheexpected,prob- system’ regarding requirements forsocialadap- Demography provides acomplex‘earlywarning ageing andfamilyformationdissolution. demographic dynamics,particularlypopulation field ofsocialprotection are deeplyrooted in with socialphenomenaandchallengesinthe however, theinterweavingofdemographic trends inpovertyandsocialexclusion.There is relationship betweenpopulationdynamicsand the 21 of homelessness ontheotherhand.Atturn demographic behaviourontheonehandand demographic trends, populationstructures and There are nocause-effect-interactions between a By Demography andhousingdeprivation vramov@a r DraganaAvramov Dr. st century inEurope there isnocausal vramov .eu - www , Population and Social Policy Consultants (PSPC) Consultants Policy Social and Population .a vramov .eu nomenon (Avramov, 2002). durables, whichislargelyagenerationalphe- stand outintermsofalackhousehold asawhole. Theyalso as thatofmainearners prevalence ofbadhealth,whichistwiceashigh ing problems. Theelderlyhavethehighest vation anddissatisfaction,facemanyhous- score highlyontheindicatorsoffinancialdepri- show particularlyhighinactivityrates.Theyalso have relatively highunemploymentratesand severely hampered intheirdailyactivities.They other riskgroups andahighpercentage are health are inmanyrespects worseoff than natives. Peopleofworkingagewhoare inbad (work ormainactivity, financesandhousing)as satisfaction withtheirgenerallivingconditions problems. Theyare twiceaslikelytoexpress dis- nationals) andahighpercentage ofhousing levels ofpoverty(twicetheaveragerate highly onunemploymentandexperiencehigh are verydissatisfied.Non-EUnationalsscore centage experiencehousingproblems, andthey highly onfinancialriskindicators,ahighper- are atthehighestriskofpoverty:theyscore include ahousingdimension.Theunemployed greater risksofmultipledeprivationsthat household orindividualfeatures thatentail Our analysishasshownthatthere are several tices. tions inredistributive resource policiesandprac- vant becausefamilydynamicsentailadapta- formation anddissolutionare particularlyrele- homelessness. Behaviouralchangesinfamily ple deprivationsandthosewhoexperience graphic profiling ofhouseholdsatriskmulti- tored andmeasured bymeansofthedemo- The chances/choicesnexuscanbestbemoni- ages, are welldocumentedinresearch. between kin,particularlyatyoungerandolder and therelevance ofwithinfamilytransfers a buffer toincomepovertyandsocialexclusion tions. Theimportanceofthecompletefamilyas from makinguseofsocialnetworksandinstitu- and personalitytraitswhichmayprevent them 11 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 12 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 "All Europeancountries, economies orcountries ntasto,sharethe in transition, be itadvancedmarket demographic future." demographic main features ofthe main features ments intohighintensityhealthcare andhome- Industry hasbeenactiveinattractinginvest- leisure goodsandservices”(Karppinen,2007). money, timeandgoodhealthtobeableenjoy “the majorityofolderpeoplepossesssufficient given extensiveattentionasitisassessedthat Tapping thepotentialof‘silvereconomy’is gies toattractolderpeopleasconsumers. Businesses havebeenactivelypursuingstrate- alone. Thistrend requires adaptations. spend anincreasing numberofyearsliving decades andagrowing numberofpeoplewill accelerating paceinthenexttwotothree Namely, populationageingwillcontinuewith main features ofthedemographicfuture. economies orcountriesintransition,share the All European countries,beitadvancedmarket mented uptodate. ing ofthehomelesspopulationhasbeendocu- regions (Avramov andMaskova,2003)noage- ued tobetheoldestamongmajorworld 14% in2000,andwhereas Europe hascontin- total populationincreased from 8%in1950to million peopleandtheirrelative weightinthe doubled duringthelast50yearsfrom 46to112 the absolutesizeofelderly(65+)more than family andinformalnetworks.Indeed,whereas protected from severe deprivationviapublic, Europe, theelderlycontinuetoberatherwell substantial progress ofpopulationageingin the secondhalfof20 been documentedforelderlypeople.Although ness inmanycountries,nosuchincrease has have observedanincrease inyouthhomeless- between 20and39yearsofage.Whereas we has shownthatthemajorityare singlemen The profiling ofpeopleusinghomelessservices th century witnesseda pendent living. ambient intelligenceandaccesstoICTforinde- housed anddeprivedelderlypeoplewillbein may expectthatthemajordividebetweenwell eInclusion evolveandasthepopulationageswe national criteriaofgoodqualityhousingand umbrella conceptofhomeless.Tomorrow, asthe to payutilitybillsare oftenclassifiedunder the have abathroom intheirdwellingorare unable Today, badlyhousedpeoplethosewhodonot changing needsofpeopleastheygrow veryold. which willbeadequatelyequippedtomeetthe help allpeopletoremain intheirownhome to address inacomprehensive waysolutionsto housing dimensionofwelfare reforms haveyet tals’, ‘smarthomes’,etc.).Socialpoliciesandthe ple seedevelopmentsineHealth,‘virtualhospi- abilities associatedwithveryhighage(forexam- and/or cognitive,limitedmobilityandotherdis- based care forpeoplewithchronic diseases References Improvement ofLivingandWorking Conditions March 2007,European Foundationforthe ‘silver economy’,Eurofound News,Issue3 Karppinen J.(2007)Tapping thepotentialof the Council ofEurope Publishing. in Europe. Avramov, D.,M.Maskova(2003), Council ofEurope Publishing. social exclusion Avramov, D.(2002), Population Studies.Strasbourg: • . PopulationStudies.Strasbourg: People, demographyand Active ageing Many stayedinhostelsandshelterswhere drinkingwasdisallowed men seendrinkingaloneoringroups incitycentres andparks. terms, suchas‘wino’or‘bum’,were usedtostereotype homeless middle-aged andolderhomelessmenistimeless.Disparaging The associationbetweenheavydrinkingandhomelessnessamong USE HEAVY DRINKINGANDILLEGALDRUG had (Australia) foundthattwo-thirds ofthe131English respondents 50+ yearsinEngland,Boston(Massachusetts)andMelbourne of thecausesnewepisodeshomelessnessamongpeopleaged ties (and,forafew, intheirseventies).Therecent Tri-Nation Study became homelessforthefirsttimewhenagedintheirfiftiesorsix- in conventionalhousing,sustainedworkandfamilyroles, and of achronic orlifelongcondition;rathertheyhavelived fordecades people today, however, theirhomelessnessis those whobecamehomelessinlaterlife.Formanyolder are unknownofthosewhohadbeenhomelessfor yearsandof backgrounds ofolderhomelesspeople,sotherelative proportions There islittleinformationfrom before theearly1990sabout States, rising numbersfrom severalcitiesinCanadaandtheUnited countries.Althoughthere arepeople inmanywestern reports of Older homelesspeopleare asubstantialminorityofsinglehomeless By continuities andchanges Older homelesspeopleintheUnitedKingdom: 70 percentare undertheageof35years. fifth ofsinglehomelesspeopleare aged50yearsormore, while50- per centlessthan30yearsofage. were aged50+years,33percentwere aged60+years,andjust10 single homelesspeoplefoundthat,amongmen,almost60percent middle-aged orelderlymen.Nationalsurveysin1965and1972of most homelesspeoplewholivedonthestreets andin hostelswere homeless populationthanthree decadesago.Untilthemid-1970s, In theUK,olderpeoplecompriseasmallerproportion ofthesingle reports. of olderhomelesspeoplesincetheearly1990sandfrom official dation services.Thepaperdrawsonevidencefrom severalstudies less peopleintheUK,includingeffects ofchangedaccommo- altered theprofiles andcircumstances ofcontemporaryolderhome- social anddemographicchangesoverthelastthree decadeshave trend. Itispossible,however, to describesomeofthewaysinwhich less peopleintheUnitedKingdom(UK),norabouttemporal alcohol problems, are similarforalladultagegroups. ties, thelossofajob,financialproblems, andmentalhealth led tohomelessness,namelymaritalbreakdown, housingdifficul- rn .andWarnes A.M. Crane M. never 1,2 there are noreliable figures ofthenumberolderhome- been homelessbefore. 6 3,4 The mostcommonfactorsthat Nowadays, however, justone- , hfil niuefrSuiso gig nvriyo hfil,UK Sheffield, of University Ageing, on Studies for Insitute Sheffield 5 not the continuation one-tenth adecadebefore. problems, compared tothree-tenths inthelate1990sandlessthan today, around one-halfofhomelesspeopleonthestreets havedrug with homelessnessbutthere isnowastrong association.InLondon Until the1990sinUK,illegaldrugdependencywasrarely linked use oflessdangerous substitutes. lifestyles, andthemeansistoencouragecontrolled drinkingandthe cannot achieveabstinence,topromote healthierandmore stable aim ofsupportiveservicesisnow‘harmminimisation’forthosewho idents todrinkanddonotrequire themtoleaveduringtheday. The alcohol problems haveexpanded,andmanyhostelsnowallowres- nal charges.Atthesametime,servicesforhomelesspeoplewith drinking inspecifiedareas, andfailure tocomplycanleadcrimi- cial interests. Manylocalauthoritiesnowhavebyelawsthatban places damagethelocalenvironmental qualityandharmcommer- restrain begging,drugdealinganddrinkingonthestreets, whichin haveintroduced ‘anti-socialbehaviourorders’ernments (ASBOs)to and supportivemeasures havereduced street drinking.Recentgov- are nowmuchlessvisibleinBritishtowns.Thisisbecausepunitive of olderhomelessmenare and thattheyhadtovacateduringtheday. Althoughthemajority older. for sometheonsetdoesnotoccuruntiltheyare in their fortiesor use amongolderpeopleinthegeneralpopulationisrising,andthat gradually declines.There are indications,however, thatillegaldrug adolescence, increases duringyoungadulthoodand thereafter gal druguseamong female patientsmore thandoubledto117. ment increased nearlyfour-fold to310,andthenumber of older 2004/05, thenumberofmenaged50-74yearsreceiving drugtreat- not feelitsafetocontinuelivinginthearea. they were harassedbylocaldrugdealersanddrug-takersdid either drugusersmovedinandcreated anintolerablesituation,or respondents intheTri-Nation Studywhobecamehomelessbecause even evictingtheoccupant.ThishappenedtoelevenEnglish homes forinjectinganddealing,onoccasionthenabusing older peoplewholivealone,atfirstcoercing permissiontousetheir reported ofdrugdealersandusers‘befriending’exploiting led directly tosomebecominghomeless.Severalcases havebeen areas hasimpactedonvulnerableolderpeopleinother waysand The illegaldrugculture incertainBritishinnercity and deprived Boston, and13%inMelbourne). used drugsbefore theybecamehomeless(5%inEngland, 10%in respondents intheTri-Nation Study, ninepercentreported having with youngadults,buttheagedifferential isfalling.Ofthe378 8,9,10 In twocountiesofNorthwestEnglandbetween1998and older homeless peopleislowwhencompared not 7 Illicit drugusetypicallybeginsduring heavy drinkers,thosewiththehabit 11 The prevalence ofille-

nite U d K in g d o

m 13 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 14 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 during the1930sinGeorgeOrwell’s andnovels). journalism short periodsinasuccessionofhostelsandshelters(asdescribed less. al wards), andcreated thesyndrome ofbeingtransient run ReceptionCentres (thedirect descendantsofthepoor-law casu- these rulescontinuedintothe1960sand1970satgovernment- carry outamenialtask(atonetime,stonebreaking). InEngland, a maximumstayofonlyfewnights,andoftenrequirement to workhouse ‘casualwards’). There wasnooronlyaminimalcharge, access, basicaccommodationforitinerantlabourers (inEnglandthe teenth centuryreforms ofthepoor-law institutionscreated direct- been evidentacross Europe forcenturies.Inseveralcountries,nine- The associationbetweenitinerantlifestylesandhomelessnesshas ITINERANCY ANDHOMELESSNESS pathway intoLondon’s hostelsisnowthrough Heathrow airport. tothehomelessnessservices.Awell-troddenare destituteandturn night-club stewards, whetherintheUKorabroad, whendismissed tors, tion ofthemen the otherhand,ithasbeenevidentforseveralyearsthatapropor- ‘discharge from thearmy’asareason forbecominghomeless. services forpeopleleavingthearmedforces, andvery fewnowcite There havebeensignificantimprovements inrehousing supportand grounds ofcasualandseasonalworkershavegreatly changed. Britain todaybutthenature oftheemploymentand theback- Links betweenitinerantworkersandhomelessnesscontinuein people towhichtheyhadbecomeaccustomed. age, sometookuplong-termresidence inthehostels forhomeless could nolongerfindworkorceasedthrough ill healthorold and marinetransportjobsdecreased massively. Whenthemen 1970s, however, unskilledmanufacturing,constructionandland and theyhadnohouseholdresponsibilities. From the1920sto lived independently, andtooklodgingswhere mealswere provided Reception Centres. Manybecameheavydrinkers,never marriedor stayed inworkingmen’s hostels,missions,lodginghousesorthe ing, manyrelied ontheiremployerstoprovide accommodation,or high proportion alsoservedtimeinthearmedforces. Whilework- casual andseasonalworkersonfarmsindocksfactories.A as merchant seamen,buildingandconstructionlabourers, oras For around 100yearsuptothe1960s,manymenin Britain worked al tramps. few wanderfrom placetointheage-oldmanneroftradition- less menofevenadecadeagohavealmostdisappeared. Onlya ofolderhome- direct) accesstoahostelbed.Theitinerantpatterns person movestoanothercity, theynolongerhaveimmediate(or tels andashortageofhostelbeds,nowmeansthatifhomeless 1990s, togetherwithchangesinprocedures forbookingintohos- Centres (laterknownasResettlementUnits)inthe1980sandearly closure ortakeoverbycharitableorganisationsoftheReception 12 e.g. Men andwomentravelledaround thecountrystayingfor as hotelportersormaidsandtheme-park,racecourse and women employed intheleisure andtouristsec- while 13 home- 14 The On pension age. younger adultswithchildren orthosewhohavereached thestate are supportedbyathinnersocialprotection ‘safetynet’thaneither their fiftieswhoare vulnerableorwhogetintofinancial difficulties without dependants(generallymenandolderwomen).Peoplein adult women),butdonothavethisdutyforable-bodiedadults ally homelesspeoplewithdependentchildren (most being younger authorities havearesponsibility tosecure housingforunintention- and theonsetofchronic illnessesanddisabilities.In Britain,local estrangements were associatedwiththestrainsofstopping work women). Mostwere agedintheirfiftiesatthe time. Some dents intheTri-Nation Study(andasmany60percentof dle-aged adults.Itappliedto27percentoftheEnglishrespon- tries, andiscommonamongolderpeopleaswellyoungmid- proximate causeofhomelessnessincontemporaryaffluent coun- The breakdown ofamaritalorcohabitingrelationship isaleading MARRIAGE ANDRELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWNS people return toconventionalaccommodationandlives. people return made itaprioritytotacklesocialexclusionandhelphomeless have and theWelsh Assembly).Thepost-1997Labourgovernments lessness (andseveralhavebeenelaboratedbytheScottishExecutive totackletheproblem ofhome- instigated bytheUKgovernment Since theearly1990s,radicalpolicyandservicechangeshavebeen CHANGES INSERVICEPROVISIONFORHOMELESSPEOPLE compared to7%). those presenting ashomelessare overtheageof45years(39% Britain are agedintheirtwentiesandthirties,ahigherproportion of cent were A8nationals.Althoughmostnationalsentering day centres, sheltersandonthestreets in2006foundthat15per nationals’). Asurveyofnearly4,500homelesspeopleatLondon’s tics ofrough sleepingas‘A8nationals’(andsince2007,‘A10 ished andwithoutaccommodation.Theynowfeature inthestatis- and squalidhousing.Whenthecontractsend,someare impover- and inpackingfactories,are accommodatedinover-crowded recruited byruthless‘gangmasters’toworkshort-termonfarms been takenbycitizensoftheaccessioncountries.Somehave low-paid jobsinBritain(ashorticulture andresidential care) have European Union A more profound changecamewiththeenlargementof replaced bynew, smallerhostelsandself-containedclustersofflats ly improved, andmostlargeindustrial-erabuildingshavebeen skills andworktrainingprogrammes. Hostelstandards havegreat- tackle homelessnesshasbeendeveloped,includingeducation,life- network ofresponsive, ameliorativeandrehabilitative servicesto toworkandconventionallives.Amoreto return comprehensive with homelesspeopletohelpthemacquire theskillsand motivation funding hasincreasingly required thatservicesworkpro-actively in 2004.Sincethen,manyunskilled,seasonaland 15 16 Public are shortagesofsupported( there isinsufficient accommodation.There appropriate alternative pervasive problem forlong-termhostelresidents, however, isthat efit income.Inshort,thegoalistoreduce ‘welfare dependency’.A dependent uponexpensivehostelprovision andsocial-securityben- cohort ofyounghomelesspeoplebecomingaccustomedtoand nent housing,theprincipalpolicyobjectiveistoprevent thecurrent by today’s ‘middle-class’standards, hostelsare unsuitableasperma- accommodation andcare homesforolderpeoplegenerally isrela- resettlements ofolder, formerlyhomelesspeopleintoshared ple withthinsocialnetworksandsupport.Therateoffailure of pendently. Anyhousingtransitionisstressful, particularlyforpeo- with complexproblems andneedswhoare incapableoflivinginde- and, more particularly, ofspecialist residential care homesforthose 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 lives’. will becentres ofexcellenceandchoicewhichpositivelychange ‘hostelswillceasetobeaplaceoflastresort, butinstead ernment, ‘Hostels CapitalImprovement Programme’. According tothegov- training. Furtherimprovements tohostelsare underwaythrough a that provide transitionalaccommodationforindependent-living for years,however, andafewformore than20years. within twoyears.Someolderhomelesspeoplehavelivedinhostels in hostels,andthecurrent expectationisthatresidents willmoveon means thatitisnolongeracceptableforresidents tolivelong-term See http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/news-and-views/old-before-their-time Ageing&Society alongitudinalstudy. Theoutcomesofrehousingolderhomelesspeople: 2007. A.M. and Warnes, M. Crane, 2001. andWarnes A.M. M. Crane 2005. Homelessness andHousingSupportDirectorate InterimReport Excluded OlderPeople: Social Exclusion Unit2005. 2006. Briheim-Crookall L. Warnes 1933. G. Orwell, 1999. Crane M. ofdrugusersinnorthwest trendsintheage andolderpeople: ageing druguse, Problematic 2007. andRoeB. McVeigh J. Beynon C.M., Factors withillegaldruguseamongolder methadone clients. associated 2004. Rosen D. anemergentHIVriskgroup. crackusers: Late-onset 2003. andSterkC.E. Johnson W.A. European MonitoringCentreforDrugsandDrug Addiction 2005. Sciences, 2005. Social andFoley P. CraneM. Warnes A.M., Thecausesofhome Gerontology: 2005. of and Warnes A.M. Watt H. SheaR., Journal M., Ryan Rota-Bartelink A., MirabelliF., LipmannB., FuR., ByrneK., Crane M., 2003. andFuR. WhiteheadN. CraneM., Warnes A.M., National Assistance Board1966. 1976. Digby P. 2004. Stroick S.M. 2004. B. andSilvestri, Faris M. MaS., KahanM., SullivanN., Friedman D.H., RaymondJ., SokolB., Meschede T., nt oiyadPann,CmuiySrtge,Ct fClay agr,Alberta. Calgary, CityofCalgary, CommunityStrategies, Policy andPlanning, Unit, hles 1999-2003. Shelters, The changedfundinggoalsandworkingpracticesofhostels 17 et al et 2003(seenote5). . Hostels and Lodgings for Single People. Single for Lodgings and Hostels Understanding Older Homeless People: Their Circumstances, Problems and Needs. and Problems Circumstances, Their People: Homeless Older Understanding Down and Out in Paris and London. and Paris in Out and Down Biennial Count of Homeless Persons in Calgary: Enumerated in Emergency and Transitional Facilities, by Service Agencies, and on th on and Agencies, Service by Facilities, Transitional and Emergency in Enumerated Calgary: in Persons Homeless of Count Biennial etrfrSca oiy nvriyo ascuet,Bso,Massachusetts. Boston, UniversityofMassachusetts, Center forSocialPolicy, A8 Nationals in London Homelessness Services. Homelessness London in Nationals A8 Homeless Single Persons. Single Homeless Single Homeless People in London: Profiles of Service Users and Perceptions of Needs. of Perceptions and Users Service of Profiles London: in People Homeless Single i.e. 60B London’s Hostels for Homeless People in the 21st Century. 21st the in People Homeless for Hostels London’s staffed) move-onaccommodation , ,S152-9. 3, olnz London. Gollancz, Homelessness Factfile. Homelessness Hostels Capital Improvement Programme. Improvement Capital Hostels ttoeyOfc,London. Office, Stationery ttoeyOfc,London. Office, Stationery Annual Report 2005 Report Annual . fieo h euyPieMnse,London. Office oftheDeputyPrimeMinister, 18 oeesLn,London. Homeless Link, rss odn Table 3.3. London, Crisis, Although fiefrOfca ulctoso h uoenCmuiis Luxembourg. oftheEuropeanCommunities, OfficeforOfficialPublications . Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Deficiency Immune Acquired of Journal The Gerontologist The eatetfrCmuiisadLclGvrmn,London. Department forCommunitiesandLocalGovernment, tively high. shortage ofappropriate servicesforthosewithhighcare needs. disabilities, however, andinmostpartsofthecountrythere isa cial accommodationprojects forolderhomelesspeoplewithchronic toconventional lives.Thereand return are stillonlyahandfulofspe- done tohelpyounghomelesspeopleacquire skills,getintowork much more supportiveandindividualised,agreat dealisnow years, homelessnessservicesintheUnitedKingdomhavebecome works ortheirfewrelationships are estranged.Overthelast20 social isolation:eithertheyneverdevelopedsupportivenet- acteristic ofolderhomelesspeopleineverysocietyisexceptional worked inpersonalandleisure serviceshasgrown. Acommonchar- labourers hasreduced considerably, whilethenumberthatformerly the lastthree decades.Theresidual populationofitinerantmanual cumstances ofolderhomelesspeoplehavechangedmarkedlyover than thoseofyounghomelesspeople.Thebackgrounds andcir- but awareness oftheirproblems andneedsisgenerallymuchless In everyera,asubstantialproportion ofhomeless peopleare older, Conclusions specialist accommodationandsupportisunavailable. substance misuseproblems, challengingbehaviour, andforwhom people agedintheirfortiesandfiftieswhohaveserioushealth provider inLondon,highlightedtheproblems facedbyhomeless August 2007by pnUiest rs,Buckingham. Open UniversityPress, hfil nttt o tde nAen,Uiest fSefed hfil,Table 4.2. Sheffield, UniversityofSheffield, Sheffield InstituteforStudieson Ageing, 4 ,543-7. 4, 44, , Hard Numbers, Hard Times: Homeless Individuals in Massachusetts Emergency Massachusetts in Individuals Homeless Times: Hard Numbers, Hard 19 An ‘Old Before Their Time’ campaignlaunchedin An ‘OldBefore TheirTime’ hfil nttt o tde nAen,Uiest fSefed Sheffield. UniversityofSheffield, Sheffield InstituteforStudieson Ageing, , Thames Reach 7 ,895-922. 6, 27, England lessness in later life: findings from a three-nation study. findings fromathree-nation life: lessness inlater 3(upeet2,S229-32. 33 (supplement2), . Ageing & Society, & Ageing . , aleadinghomelessnessservice- e Streets, 2004 May 12. May 2004 Streets, e 7 ,803-14. 4, 27, 20 Social Research • 15 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 16 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 4 .

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P I I A S P T E C C L E T O B E O S I S A N S R E T I H N Y H P D A T D N V E A E I O A R S L E A Y D D T M C T I D N T W E E O B S I E E T R O T Y N O F E I R S I N O R T L N U H L N A E E I C E N L D A X T 5 U N G L T A E B S R . O S R E U R U M % N M # I N A L O % D F L R O  I E I S % T N F P reality: Time toface thefacts Child homelessnessasaEuropeansocial emerging trends ( child homelessnessintheEuropean Union 2007 toshedlightonthenature andextentof FEANTSA carriedoutastocktakingexercise in such assigningaworkcontractorlease. do nothavethelegalagetoperformbasictasks homeless adultsorwhoare ontheirownand case forchildren whoare eitherdependenton harder toidentify, andthisisperhaps more the the homelesspopulationare therefore even cult toassessthephenomenon.Subsectionsof therefore amovingtargetwhichmakesitdiffi- outside thenormalstructures ofsociety, andare People experiencinghomelessnessoftenlive the currenttrends. children experiencinghomelessnessinEuropeconductedbyFEANTSAhighlightssomeof Astocktakingof thanlivinginsafechildhoodhomesgiving themagoodstartinlife. rather childrenalsoexperiencinghiddenforms ofhomelesnsessandhousingexclusionbut many therearenotonlyadults andbelow sleeping isonlythetipofhomelessnessiceberg, rough Homeless childreninaprosperousEuropeanUnion? We tofacethefacts: have By T 5 O H G Child homelessness in Europe: An overview of Child homelessnessinEurope:Anoverview A 2 V A C / N E E 3 R O C 4 N ! R Liz Gosme E O 4 W Y R E E D A P I R O N  R G T       )NCL

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I E E E A S P L R O T D H I D D N N E E W D R , 2007). N I I

N R I RUG N A A F B S G I M T T D S S T P G E H H H S FEANTSAPolicy Officer , E A E U A E T D R H REHABIL D X C N N E N S E S E E C G H O A E F T F L E I R I U T O N S E T U N E E E R L L T P F D E R S E A T U O S

E L U T D I T I A S T R N S S R I TA A R H O C

E A H G O U L 1 E N TI A A S L A R P C O N C B ON S O L B T P W L K I A L F U A V I E U T T U C O R I I I T A B N NSTI R E E O R H S O T L G U N H S O I I R O O C H E A A F U Q M TU N S S L A L R U T H P E R D N TI S B O A E A S O E T Y ONS R R S I C L Y R O FORMERLY FOR ARE N T D D I C E N E D S E A S R S A I E N B

S T H PSYCH T N W Y C I I E N O C E S I L E N T T T W EUSUAL HE E H AY A A R IA O H N L U L O D TRIC E T SS A G M A R I D S HOSPI SAFETY A S L K H A E T E RM I L U O T TALS E N S E R ETC Observatory, 2006). onto theETHOStypology(FEANTSA different existingformsofchildhomelessness experienced bychildren, through amappingof stocktaking toshedlightonhomelessnessas living situationswasappliedintheFEANTSA continuumof approaches, theproposed ETHOS In order toreconcile thedifferent national of childhomelessnessorhousingexclusion. similar livingsituationswhichamounttoforms under theselabelsare effectively experiencing ent child-related problems thatmanychildren it isclearfrom furtherreading intothesediffer- housing orhomelessnessdimensions.However, dimensions oftheproblem ratherthanthe emphasising theurban,socialormigration domestic violencelivinginspecialistshelters– panied minors,runawayyouths,survivorsof drifting youths,children instatecare, unaccom- various child-related problems -street youths, while inothercountriesthere are references to clear references tochildoryouthhomelessness, approach adopted.Insomecountries,there are from countrytodependingonthe different perceptions ofchildhomelessness The feedbackfrom FEANTSAmembersreveals DEFINITIONS ANDPERCEPTIONS Secondly, also leadstoshortperiodsof rooflessness. themselves inacycleofhomelessness which that someofthesehomelessfamilies canfind encing houselessness.Itisimportanttonote different EUcountries,therefore mainlyexperi- temporary lies are foundtobe Firstly, analarmingnumberofchildren infami- children inhomelessfamilieswere identified. or inadequatehousing.Fourmaincategoriesof in situationsofhouselessness,insecure housing of temporaryshelter, andtherefore tendtobe found livingonthestreets, butratherinforms Children inhomelessfamiliesare not often experiencinghomelessness lescents in homelessfamilies The twomainemergingtrends concern PROFILES children survivors ofdomesticvio- shelters andaccommodation spending longperiodsin and unaccompanied ado- . children in through thesystem andrapidlyfindthemselves tion muchlongerthanplanned.Some mayslip may endupstayingintemporary accommoda- tion, fosterfamiliesorcare institutions.Some tion inhostels,bedandbreakfast accommoda- EU countriesandtendtoreceive accommoda- These children haveoftenmigratedfrom non- forms ofhomelessnessandhousingexclusion. companied minors Thirdly, theprecarious livingsituationsof often entered achronic cycleofhomelessness. homeless formuchlongerperiodsandhave lescents referred toabovewhohaveremained tently, asopposedtothefirstcategoryofado- hometotheirfamilyintermit- ness, returning to experiencetemporaryorepisodichomeless- ending uponthestreets. Theseindividualstend port/protection servicesandare athighriskof away youth street. Secondly, there are receive immediatesupportwhenfoundonthe tries are considered aprioritygroup andshould few EUcountriessincechildren inmostcoun- of childhomelessnessisonlyjustemergingin temporary accommodation.However, thistrend friends, squatting,andstayinginemergencyor frequently betweenthestreet, livingwith friends oracquaintances.Ortheymayalternate times hidden,stayingwithasuccessionof situation toanother. Suchindividualsare some- to asstreet youthsoftenmovingfrom oneliving since averyyoungageandtendtobereferred lescents emerge. Firstofall,there are countries and,again,fourmaincategories lessness) appearstobeatrend inmanyEU homelessness (mainlyrooflessness andhouse- Unaccompanied adolescentsexperiencing the Romapopulation. partsof countries, thisproblem mainlyconcerns typology. European Insomecentralandeastern inadequate housingcategoriesoftheETHOS tions whichare describedintheinsecure and poor housingconditions tries toaffect homelessness isalsoperceived inmanycoun- legally insecure livingsituations).Fourthly, child quate dwelling(andtherefore mainlyimplies uations), orcaninvolveevictionfrom anade- implies bothinadequateandinsecure livingsit- makeshift dwellingsorsquats(andtherefore inadequate formsofhabitationsuchas homelessness. Thiscaninvolveevictionfrom support, canpotentiallyleadtoacycleof which, withoutearlyinterventionandadequate in situationsofrooflessness orhouselessness ending uponthestreet, orwholiterallyendup ened witheviction Thirdly, there are anumberof as children experiencingformsofhomelessness. referred toinfeedbackfrom FEANTSAmembers accompanying theirmotherandare often lence are increasingly foundinshelters who havebeenchronically homeless who oftenendupinchildsup- children infamiliesliving in Europe oftenamountto and therefore atriskof runaway orthrow- , oftenlivingsitua- families threat- homeless ado- unac- lessness. extremely difficult tobreak thecycleofhome- different needswhich,ifunmet,canmakeit homeless oftenhaveacombinationofthese somewhat artificial-mostchildren whoare used forthepurposeofFEANTSAreport is and socialneeds.However, thecategorisation health needs,financialeducation lowing needswere identified:housingneeds, consequence oftheirlivingsituation.Thefol- to prevent anyfurtherproblems arising asa recover from thetraumaofhomelessnessand them toimprove theirsituation,inorder tofully lessness oftenrequire additionalsupport tohelp As wellasaroof, children experiencing home- NEEDS existing situationspointingto commonality hasemergedfrom thedifferent lessness indifferent EUcountries,butsome There are manydifferent causesofchildhome- CAUSES in Europe (CoE,2006:64). high homelessnessratesofchildren leavingcare children atriskandincare (2006)confirmsthe report oftheCouncilEurope onrightsof orphans inchildcare institutions.Therecent offenders, children inmedicalinstitutions,or young their own.Thissituationcanconcern no safehometogoorsecure housing of at riskofhomelessnessiftheyhavenorelatives, in orleavinginstitutions without aroof overtheirheads.Lastly, them). dren withnoguardians toguideorprotect (which islikelytobethecaseforhomelesschil- lack ofknowledgecertainsupportservices abuse, immigration,butcanalsobelinkedto personal problems linkedtohealth,substance breakdown). youths, children placedinhomesduetofamily children leavingaviolenthome,runaway onset ofhomelessnessforachild(motherswith often theprecipitant factorleadingtothefirst create avulnerabilitytohomelessness,andis often associatedwithhousingexclusionorcan relationship problems orfamilybreakdown are continuity ofcare. tion betweenservices,orabreakdown inthe allocation mechanisms,andlackofcoordina- which donotmeetcertainneeds,thenature of homelessness suchasalackofservices,services can alsoinfluencevulnerabilityofchildren to quate welfare benefits. limited employmentopportunities,orinade- lack ofaffordable andgoodqualityhousing, fer hardship andfinancialcrisesresulting from alone oraccompanied-whentheirfamiliessuf- tors: homelessness are interlinked. although clearlythesedifferent factorsof into homelessnessexperiencedbychildren - Some children maybecomehomeless– Housing needs Personal factors Relational factors Institutional factors are themostobvious are perceived tobe general Structural fac- can include pathways children such as benefits." welfare inadequate or opportunities, employment limited quality housing, affordable andgood resulting fromlackof financial crises suffer hardshipand when theirfamilies alone oraccompanied- become homeless- "Some childrenmay 17 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 18 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 to haveanyincomeatall. and maytherefore resolve tobeggingorcrime moneytomeettheirbasicneeds, they canearn young age,theyhavefewlegalmeansbywhich worse off financiallybecause,duetotheir accommodation stayingwithfriendstendtobe are insituationsofrooflessness orininsecure Unaccompanied children oradolescentswho basic financialormaterialsupport. porary accommodationservicesneedaccessto Children inhomelesshouseholdslivingtem- frequently have impact onthechild’s development.Children short periods,whichinevitablythenhasan schools orevenstoppingschoolaltogetherfor ing situationoftenleadstothemchanging ing homelessnessgiventhattheirunstableliv- generally importantamongchildren experienc- abuse anddepression. lence (sexualandphysical),malnutrition,drug in conditionsofhighhealthrisklinkedtovio- to astreet environment whichcanplacethem unaccompanied adolescentswhoare exposed a result ofrooflessness situationsconcerning dwellings unfitforhabitation,andespeciallyas domestic violence,asaresult oflivingin ment includehomelessnessasaresult of child’s mentalandphysicalhealthdevelop- uations whichcanhavedamagingeffects ona vary according tothelivingsituation.Livingsit- among children experiencinghomelessnessand legally secure. with spaceforsocialrelations, andwhichis nent accommodationofanadequatestandard, long-term solution.Theultimateaimisperma- housing needsaslongitdoesnotbecomea modation canbeusefultomeetimmediate situation from deteriorating.Temporary accom- social orhealthsupportwhichcanprevent their to allowthembenefitfrom anyadditional lack ahome)whourgentlyneedstablehome needs ofchildren whoare homeless(i.e.who caregiver oranysocialnetworks. companied homelessadolescentswithouta lessness –thisisespeciallythecaseforunac- pre-condition tobreaking thecycleofhome- need forsecurity, protection andstabilityasa dren experiencinghomelessnessincludethe 1 See full report on FEANTSA website for national examples illustrating thetrendsoutlinedinthisarticle examples illustrating onFEANTSAwebsitefornational See fullreport Health needs financial ormaterialneeds Education needs Social needs are common of chil- are . cally homelessinadulthood. difficult livingsituationsfrom becomingchroni- the more attentiontoprevent children insuch matic experienceforchildren andrequires all right. However, homelessnesscanbeatrau- than ashomelessserviceclientsintheirown ally perceived asattachedtotheirparent rather homeless serviceswithaparent andare gener- through crisissituations.Children oftenenter homelessness asaresult oftheirparents going adults, especiallyasmanychildren experience from povertyandhomelessnessexperiencedby homelessness cannotbetackledinisolation It isclearfrom theFEANTSAanalysisthatchild ing indifficult situations. children (andtheirfamilies)whoare already liv- fore tendtobespecialisedpolicieswhichtarget from thesemainstream measures. Thesethere- are developedforchildren whocannotbenefit detect imminentcrisissituations.Otherpolicies which servetoprevent crisissituationsandto housing, socialwelfare, educationandhealth possible. There are structuralpolicieslinkedto and theneedtocatchproblems asearly as report) mainlyfoundedonaprevention ethos ling thisproblem (outlinedintheFEANTSA hood. There are different approaches totack- them enteringacycleofhomelessnessinadult- reach outtothemanychildren atrisktoavoid vention policies(bothsystemicandtargeted)to stemmed assoonpossiblebyimproving pre- emerging problem whichcan,andshould,be ly experiencinghomelessnessisstillonlyan It seemsthephenomenonofchildren chronical- Conclusions Observatory onHomelessness,FEANTSA homelessness statisticsinEurope FEANTSA Observatory(2006), ofemergingtrends An overview FEANTSA (2007), care CoE (2006), References , CouncilofEurope, Strasbourg Rights ofchildrenatriskandin Child homelessnessinEurope: • Fifth reviewof , FEANTSA , European she usedtoworkhadallbutcollapsed.Tatiana hadnotbeenpaid Russia withhersix-year-old sonSergei.Thecollectivefarmwhere Thirty-year oldTatiana cametoMoscowfrom avillageincentral threat ofhomelessnessifthejobsuddenlyends. low-skilled workers)canmeanariskofabuse,non-paymentand harsh winters).Employmentintheinformalsector(particularlyfor access tothefacilities(thisrequirement isonlyrelaxed inextremely to prove hisorherpastresidency statusinthearea inorder toget lished systemoflocalauthoritysheltersrequires ahomelessperson formal jobs,pensionsorwelfare benefits.Eventhe newlyestab- tlements. Alackofresidential permitinthearea meansnoaccessto istration attheplaceofresidence, whichislinkedtoall welfare enti- Post-Soviet Russiahasretained thebasisofSoviet systemofreg- NGOs– allthesestrategieswere veryrisky. expanding informaleconomicmarketsorgettingsupportfrom nomic centres insearch ofjobsandhousing,switchingontothe to peripheralspacesofthecountryor, onthecontrary, tolargeeco- ment’ strategiesmore easilythanintheSoviettimes –bymoving Although displacedpeoplecouldtrytoexercise theirown‘re-place- states resulted inlarge-scalesocialandterritorial displacement. inequalities andimmigrationofethnicRussiansfrom theex-Soviet particularly thecollectivefarmsystem,newregional economic free provision ofhousing,housingreforms, crisisofagriculture and socialist enterprise-basedcommunitieswiththeirstablejobsand political upheavalassociatedwiththemarkettransition.Erosion of workers’ hostels.Theycanbesaidtothevictimsofsocialand ple madehomelessthrough housingprivatisationand closure of among themeconomicmigrantsandrefugees, street children, peo- Very soon,however, newcategoriesofhomelesspeopleappeared, now ‘free’ toroam thestreets. escaping from domesticabuseorunemployablealcoholics–were through avarietyofpersonalrisks–disabledindividuals,women areas onrelease. Othervulnerablepeople,wholosthousing housing whileinprisonandwere notallowedtosettleinmany tion orotherex-convicts,whohadbeendeprivedoftheirpublic ers, whohadbeenthevictimsofanti-homelessnesscriminallegisla- social problem. Thelargepartofthe‘old’homelesswere ex-prison- to betheproduct ofthis‘uncovering’thesuppressed Soviet stopped. Atfirst,manyhomelesspeopleonthestreets couldbesaid the 1990s,persecutionofbeggars,vagrantsand‘parasites’ ness –were subjecttocriminalpunishment.From thebeginningof ‘parasitic wayoflife’–allthree oftenbeingsignifiersforhomeless- it wasmore orlesshiddenfrom publicview. Vagrancy, beggingand Russian urbanareas. HomelessnessdidexistintheSovietUnion,but street homelesspersonhasbecomeanalmostomnipresent sightin Since thestartofmarketreforms intheearly1990s,figure ofa By Homelessness andsocialtransformationinRussia Svetlana Stephenson work. Bythen,peoplefrom hisvillagewhohadcomewithhimto lently beatenbyskinheadsonthestreet. Hecouldnotcontinueto FixedAbode–hewasvio- and SocialAssistancetoPersonsWithout I methiminspring2005–theMoscowCityCentre forMedical food. Moneywaspromised attheendofjob.Two weeksbefore place inahostelontheoutskirtsofMoscow. Heworkedjustfor ers, whotookhimonwithoutanofficial contract,alsogavehima look forwork.Hefoundajobatconstructionsiteandhisemploy- Twenty-two yearoldSharif from UzbekistancametoMoscow Issue typemagazinessellers). limited categoriesofhomelesspeoplesuchasex-convictsorBig- accommodation (andeventhenitistemporaryfor homeless people,veryrarely cantheyoffer themsomeformof NGOsprovide helpto Although manyRussianandinternational Russian citizens),theymoveontocellars,loftsandtrainstations. accommodation insheltersforhomelesspeople(whichonlyaccept place tostay, oftenwithoutdocuments,andevenrightsto a moneysomewhere else.Without and sostayon,hopingtoearn Even iftheyhavesomesavings,maybeashamedtogoback their jobsandwithoutmoney, justification. Theymayalsotakeawaytheirpassports.Havinglost justifying thisbycitingunsatisfactorywork,sometimeswithoutany exploitation andabuse.Employersmayrefuse topay, sometimes are employedwithoutofficial contracts,are prone toextreme often paidcashattheendofworkingday. work inconstructionandtheservicesector, where employeesare according todifferent estimates)are employedillegally. Theytendto though, mostforeign workers(from 70percentto90cent, for specialpermissionfrom theMoscowauthorities. Inpractice, get employment.Employerswhohire foreign workersneedtoapply grant needstohaveamigrationcard andaworkpermit inorder to the mostvulnerablecategoriesofmigrants.From 2002 everyimmi- Illegal immigrantworkers–theso-called group ofstreet kidsinacellarcentralMoscow. was willingtotakeherinwithson.LittleSergeiliveda place tostay–withfriendsandoccasionalboyfriends,butnobody to seeeachotheroccasionally. Tatiana wouldsometimesfinda Sergei havelivedapartfrom eachother–althoughtheymanaged trade andoccasionaljobsinthemarket.Inlastyear, Tatiana and tions, cheaphotelsandrented flats,supportingthemselvesbystreet Since thenTatiana andSergeihavemigratedbetween thetrainsta- then shelostherjobandtheyhadtomoveliveattrainstations. Moscow. Shefoundaroom torent andhersonwenttoschool.But er inakiosk,eventhoughshedidnothaveresidential permitin this proved tobeimpossible.Tatiana waseventuallyhired asatrad- Moscow tolookforabetterpaidjobwithplaceinhostel,but for overayear. Inaninterviewsheexplainedthatcameto gastarbaitery gastarbaitery gastarbaitery cannot gobackhome. Gastarbaitery – are among R us si , who a 19 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 20 HOMELESS in Europe autumn 2007 1 ers asbothare marriedandhedoesnotwanttobeaburden. ing bybegging.Hedoesnotwanttogobacklivewithhisbroth- shelter inMoscow(beingapastresident)hisliv- andearns leave. Herecently losthisleginaroad accident.Now, helivesina covered thathedidnothaveanydocumentsand forced himto farm inaneighbouringagriculturalregion, butthenthepolicedis- his passportandregistration. Heworkedforseveral monthsona an undercover agent.Herefused and,asaresult, couldnotgetback officer startedtoputpressure onhim,demandingthathebecome three years.Afterhisrelease hewentbackhome,butthelocalpolice Grigorii becameinvolvedinastreet fightandwasimprisonedfor Grigorii haslivedmostofhislifeinMoscow. Severalyearsago themintoinformers. attempt toturn the ex-prisonersandaccusethemofsomebodyelse’s crimes,or homeless intervieweesandNGOworkers,policeoftentrytoframe ic procedures, withtheoutcomeuncertain.Also,according tomy get suchhousingrequires themtogothrough complexbureaucrat- their municipalaccommodationasaresult ofincarceration. Butto local authoritiestogivehousingthoseex-prisonerswhohavelost (such asMoscowandSt.Petersburg)haveprovisions allowingthe Moscow andSt.Petersburgbeingfrom thiscategory. Somecities homelessness, withabout30-50%ofallstreet homelesspeoplein Imprisonment continuestobeoneofthekeyfactorsleading passers-by wouldcallanambulance. down onthestreet pretending tobeunconscious,andthenperhaps told himthattheonlywayfortogetahospitalwasfall minimise thenumberofreferrals). Thesocialworkeratthecentre want toaccepthomelesspatients,andthecentre’s workerstryto the centre, whojudgedhimnottobesufficiently ill(hospitalsdonot work again.Buthewasrefused areferral toahospitalbydoctorsin admitted toahospitalandstaythere untilhewasbetterandcould he wasonthestreets hispassportwasstolen.Hehopedtobe with otherhomelesspeopleincellarsandloftsofbuildings.While to. HisRussianwasverypoor. Sincehelosthisjob,spentnights Moscow forworkhadalready leftforhome.Hehadnoonetoturn e h eut ftersac rjc nhmlsns nSve n otSve usai tpesn .(2006), S. See theresultsofresearchprojectonhomelessnessinSovietandpost-SovietRussiaStephenson, Ashgate, Aldershot. On street homeless children see Stephenson, S. (2001) Street children in Moscow: using and creating socialcapita usingandcreating (2001)StreetchildreninMoscow: S. Stephenson, On streethomelesschildrensee Aldershot. Ashgate, But youknow…indifference alsokills.’ good thattheydon’t putpeopleinprisonsforvagrancy anymore. own handsandfindtheirwayintoprisonInNikolai’s words, “It’s order nottodieonthestreets –theyhavetotakemattersintotheir problem ofhomelessness,homelesspeoplenowmight feelthat–in It istellingthatsincetheendofSovietpenal‘solutions’to ment. from asupermarketinorder tobearrested andputintoconfine- back toprison.Hetoldmethatheplannedstealexpensivefood Soviet times,hasdecidedthathisonlyoptionofsurvivalwastogo ference. Thus,Nikolai,anintervieweewhohadbeen in prisonthe vision forhomelesspeople.Largely, however, theresponse isindif- inalisation, theRussianstatehasmovedtoverylimitedwelfare pro- but theproblem ofhomelessnesshasremained. From outrightcrim- Over theyears,profiles ofthehomelesspeoplehavechanged– in Russiahavesofarbeenunwillingtodo. the residential permitssystem–somethingthatthepoliticalregimes butthiswouldrequirezens are concerned), acompletereform of acknowledging theircitizenshiprights(atleastwhere Russianciti- response totheproblem ofhomelessnesscanonlybebasedon care (oftenestablishedoutsidethecityborders). Anyserious authorities trytocontainthemindegradedfacilitiesofinstitutional denied accesstocommunalandresidential spaces,andlocal tightening thenoosesonhomelesspeople.Theyare progressively theincreasing privatisationofurbanspaceinRussia,citiesareWith payment ofrent andantisocialbehaviour. Code allowsevictionforanumberofreasons, includingfornon- highly vulnerabletohomelessness.Also,thenew2005Housing stable accesstosources ofsocialandpublicsupportmakesthem through manyotherprivaterisksandmisfortunes.Inabilitytoget being cheatedorforced outoftheirhousingbycriminals,and losing connectionstohomethrough longabsence,byfallingill, displaced andloseaccesstohousingthrough familyconflicts,by There are manyothercausesofhomelessness.Peoplecanbecome Crossing the Line. Vagrancy, Homelessness and Social Displacement in Russia, in Displacement Social and Homelessness Vagrancy, Line. the Crossing l. The Sociological Review, Sociological The 1 • o.9 o ,pp.530-547. 4, No. Vol.49,