DOCSLIB.ORG

Study "Measurement of Homelessness at European Union Level"

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Study EUROPEAN COMMISSION Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG Measurement of Homelessness at European Union Level January 2007 The European Commission - Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG, Unit Inclusion, Social Policy Aspects of Migration, Streamlining of Social Policies commissioned the University of Dundee, with the assistance of GISS e.V., Germany and Resource Information Service, UK, to conduct the study "Measurement of Homelessness at European Union Level" http://Ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi Joint Centre for Scottish Housing Research University of Dundee – University of St Andrews Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN Scotland, United Kingdom http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/jcshr.html The study was carried out by: Authors: Bill Edgar: [email protected] Matt Harrison: [email protected] Peter Watson: [email protected] Volker Busch-Geertsema: [email protected] © European Communities, 2007 The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. ii SUMMARY OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Abbreviations Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables PART A CONTEXT OF THE RESEARCH Chapter 1 Purpose and methodology.................................................................................. 3 Chapter 2 Understanding homelessness and the context of data collection .................. 9 PART B WHAT TO MEASURE Chapter 3 Definition of living situations and homelessness........................................... 43 Chapter 4 Classification of organisations providing services to homeless people ...... 71 PART C HOW TO MEASURE IT Chapter 5 Methods to maintain a database of services for homeless people................ 87 Chapter 6 Register and recording data systems ........................................................... 115 Chapter 7 Standard register variables of homelessness............................................... 143 Chapter 8 Surveys of homeless people using services................................................. 163 PART D ROLE OF NATIONAL AUTHORITIES Chapter 9 Methodologies for national authorities to collect data ................................ 175 Chapter 10 Statistics and indicators on homelessness using client registers.............. 185 Chapter 11 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................. 195 REFERENCES....................................................................................................................... 213 APPENDICES ..........................................................................................................................A1 iii _________________ Executive Summary INTRODUCTION Homelessness and housing deprivation exist in all European countries and yet there are few official statistics on homelessness, and those that do exist are rarely comparable between different countries. The lack of clear data on the extent of homelessness makes an understanding of its nature, causes and the effective action needed to tackle it all the more difficult. The research and evidence presented in this report therefore aims to identify current methodologies and practices in different European countries that measure the extent and nature of homelessness. The research was undertaken in the context of the EU social inclusion and other strategies, and the development of National Action Plans and commonly agreed and defined indicators. Commissioned by DG Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission in December 2005, this research builds upon the recommendations of the study carried out in 2003 by the French statistical institute (INSEE) on behalf of EUROSTAT. The report made an important contribution towards developing statistical capacity by highlighting various obstacles to a pan-European comparison, discussing definitions of homelessness and reviewing systems for data collection. This study, however, adopts more of a technical approach, and aims to identify methods and practices to develop the information base required for measuring homelessness and housing deprivation. With a particular focus on using information from providers of services to homeless people, the main tasks of this report can be summarised as being to develop procedures and methodologies to: define living situations and homelessness in order to select the target population for data collection classify organisations providing services to the defined population of homeless people and develop a directory or database of such services collect and aggregate data about homeless people from the client record systems managed by service provider organisations listed in the directory undertake sample surveys amongst users of services to help understand homelessness. The project brief also required the report to reflect on the type and use of statistics and indicators that could be drawn from such data collection. In effect then, this report examines what to measure in terms of definitions of homelessness and then how to measure homelessness from data about clients of services for homeless people and from surveys. The findings from this report have the potential to have a radical impact on improving the measurement of homelessness, policy development, service provision and most importantly, the lives of homeless people and those at risk of homelessness. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Each chapter of this report focuses on a particular aspect of measurement and includes a range of specific proposals. However, in summarising the methodology by which information collected by service providers on their homeless clients can be captured for analysis, the report makes a number of overall recommendations for national (or – where appropriate – regional) authorities to improve their capacity for data collection: iv 1. Prepare a national Homelessness Monitoring Information Strategy developed in consultation with all relevant Ministries and stakeholders. 2. Identify (or establish) a co-ordinating mechanism or agency for homelessness data collection. 3. Adopt the harmonised definition of living situations and homelessness from this report as a basic framework for data collection. 4. Adopt the set of standard core variables from this report and their definition as a basic set of variables to be employed in data collection. 5. Adopt a national definition of services for homelessness. 6. Establish and maintain a directory/database of services for homeless people. 7. Ensure that funding for homeless service providers requires the provision of basic anonymised data on clients and provide funding to facilitate this as necessary. 8. Establish a strategy for collection of data from service provider client registration systems. 9. Ensure added value of data collection for the services and homeless people. The report also makes a number of overall recommendations for the European Commission for action at EU level: 1. Require Member States to develop in the framework of the streamlined EU strategy for social protection and social inclusion national strategies to combat homelessness. 2. Require Member States to identify progress reached with the development of national strategies and whether this incorporates a homelessness monitoring information strategy. 3. Monitor progress of Member States towards continuous client recording systems. 4. Encourage national statistics offices to adopt the harmonised definition of homelessness for data collection while recognising that alternative definitions may be used for policy purposes. 5. Encourage national statistics offices to play a coordination role in the collection of data on homelessness for use in EU level initiatives 6. Reduce the obstacles to achieving homeless information monitoring (e.g. through the use of funding under FP7, structural funds and European research programme). METHODOLOGY The study was conducted by a team from three organisations with extensive experience in homeless- ness research and creating and maintaining large databases relevant to this field: Joint Centre for Scottish Housing Research (JCSHR) in Scotland, Resource Information Service (RIS) in London and the Association for Innovative Social Research and Social Planning (GISS), in Bremen, Germany. The project was managed and guided by a steering group that represented a range of European organisations involved in developing statistics and homelessness. The research involved commissioning papers from experts on homelessness from eight countries with different welfare regimes and federal/centralised political systems (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) to provide information about methodologies of data collection and the creation of directories of organisations and client record databases. This evidence base was added to by data gathered from literature and contacts in a number of other EU and non-EU countries. v Questionnaires were also sent to service provider organisations to obtain additional information in different countries across the EU. These were supplemented with telephone interviews where required. Extensive use and reference was also made to recommendations at EU-level (especially literature on indicators for social inclusion), the 2003 INSEE/EUROSTAT study, reviews of statistics on homelessness produced by the European Observatory on Homelessness of FEANTSA, and the UNECE/EUROSTAT recommendations
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Houseboat Living on the Seine È
    HOUSEBOAT LIVING ON THE SEINE Lonely pénichards or strong communities? Sciences Po Master students – Urban School, program “Governing the Large Metropolis”: Paola Chapdelaine: [email protected] Emeline Dutheil: [email protected] Lorena Figueiredo: [email protected] Marissa Potasiak: [email protected] Paul Tristan Victor: [email protected] Working papers du Programme Cities are Back in Town [email protected] http://blogs.sciences-po.fr/recherche-villes/ Cahiers de recherche du Programme Cities are Back in Town n° 2015-1 Chapdelaine P., Dutheil E., Figueiredo L., Potasiak M. and Victor, P.T., « Houseboat living on the Seine ». Abstract: A stroll along the Seine will alert even the most casual observer to the unique presence of houseboats moored along the river’s banks, many of them clustered in small ports and canals. Examining closer, one might even feel a twinge of jealousy at the sight of normally hurried Parisians using the Seine as their own personal backyard — hosting family barbecues, making quick excursions down the river, or simply enjoying long, carefree conversations with their neighbors. However, a real understanding of the linkages between these houseboats — and the people who make their life on them, the houseboaters — requires a more structured process of investigation. We ask ourselves, then, the following research question: How might the conditions of houseboat living on the Seine shape relations between houseboat owners? We hypothesize that houseboaters share practices, produce a specific body of knowledge, and form a sense of common identity in a manner that creates houseboat communities on the Seine. Our paper is organized as follows.
    [Show full text]
  • Houseboats and Floating Houses
    Houseboats and Floating Houses Houseboats and floating houses are built elements that lie on top of the water surface, and therefore have there sensations depicted by the moving water below and views surround them. They are unique places to live due to these sensations. Houseboats and floating houses are very different. The major difference is in the fact that houseboats move themselves whilst floating houses are located in primarily the one spot. Living on the water can create a strong sense of community though floating houses, or it can provide privacy through houseboats, both however give the occupant a strong understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. http:// popularmechanics.com Differences between houseboats and floating houses- The major difference between houseboat and floating house design is the amount of manoeuvrability required. The typical houseboat for example has as hull that is submerged below the waves which allows the boat to move in the water with ease and direction. There are two major types of houseboats, the first has one hull that is curved to move through the water quickly, and it is designed for speed and to move though rough waters. The other has a pontoon base that is wider in the water and contains at least two hull extrusions into the water. This houseboat style is for slow cruising through waterways as it has less speed and manoeuvrability. The living area above or within the hull is therefore designed to maximise the space below and above the water level. In faster single hulled boats sleeping and living quarters are included in the hull of the boat, an example of which is a yacht.
    [Show full text]
  • Adventurer Houseboat Manual
    WELCOME TO 53’ ADVENTURER HOUSEBOAT MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Marine Radio .....................................................................................................1 Engines/Helm .................................................................................................. 3 Houseboat Batteries .......................................................................................6 Generator ..........................................................................................................8 Water Pressure ..............................................................................................10 Hot Water ....................................................................................................... 12 Holding Tanks ..................................................................................................13 Gas/Propane .................................................................................................. 15 Refrigerator ..................................................................................................... 17 Range ................................................................................................................ 19 Grill ................................................................................................................... 20 Heater ............................................................................................................... 21 Cooling .............................................................................................................22
    [Show full text]
  • Webinar Series “The Contribution of EU Funds 2021-2027 to the Eradication of Homelessness”
    Webinar series “The contribution of EU Funds 2021-2027 to the eradication of homelessness” nd th 22 and 29 October 2020 SUMMARY (30th November 2020) The “Multistakeholder Hub to promote the Housing First methodology in Spain” is an initiative that aims to provide a collaborative space where the key actors can share motivation, experiences and knowledge, and address the challenges that arise from the development and implementation of the Housing First methodology as an innovative model of intervention to give a solution to homelessness. Participants of this knowledge hub are housing and social services departments of local, regional and State administration, as well as Third Sector organisations, academic research staff and other stakeholders. This document includes the main conclusions of each of the two events, held the 22nd and 29th of October 2020, as part of the Webinar series "The contribution of EU Funds 2021- 2027 to the eradication of homelessness”. Context and programme ......................................................................................................................................3 Webinar 1. The contribution of EU Funds 2021-2027 to the eradication of homelessness: opportunities and recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 4 Sesión 2. The contribution of EU Funds 2021-2027 to the eradication of homelessness: inspiring experiences ...............................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Living on the Water Comments Regarding the Shoreline Master Program Update Proposal
    Comments on Proposed Shoreline Rule 23.60.202.D. Standards for Floating Homes Date: May 27, 2011 To: Department of Planning and Development ATTN: Public Resource Center 700 Fifth Ave, Ste 2000 P.O. Box 34019 Seattle, WA 98124-4019 [email protected] From: Bloxom Houseboat Replacement Project Team Subject: Comments on Proposed City of Seattle Shoreline Rules – 1st Draft Floating Homes - New Living and Storage Spaces Located Below Water Level _____________________________________________________________________________ The Bloxom Houseboat Replacement Project Team is very supportive of the intent of the City of Seattle to improve shoreline conditions with the 1st draft of the new shoreline rules. However, we would like to suggest that one of the new restrictions on floating homes appears to limit how much we improve ecological functions in the future. The restriction we would like the city to re-consider is the following: 23.60.202 D. Standards for Floating Homes 5. A floating home may be rebuilt, replaced, repaired, or remodeled consistent with the following standards: f. No new living or storage spaces are located below water level. Existing living or storage spaces below water level may be remodeled, replaced, or rebuilt, but may not be expanded. Two of the Shoreline Management Act’s stated priorities are: Environmental Protection: The Act requires protections for shoreline natural resources, including “… the land and its vegetation and wildlife, and the water of the state and their aquatic life …” to ensure no net loss of ecological function. Single-family residences are also identified as a priority use under the Act when developed in a manner consistent with protection of the natural environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Documents De Travail 2008
    156 DOCUMENTS DE TRAVAIL 2008 THE INED RESEARCH ON HOMELESSNESS, 1993-2008 Volume 1 Volume edited by Maryse Marpsat Papers translated from the French by Godfrey Rogers THE INED RESEARCH ON HOMELESSNESS, 1993-2008 Volume 1 Volume edited by Maryse Marpsat Papers translated from the French by Godfrey Rogers INSTITUT NATIONAL D'ETUDES DEMOGRAPHIQUES ETABLISSEMENT PUBLIC SCIENTIFIQUE ET TECHNOLOGIQUE • 133, BOULEVARD DAVOUT 75980 PARIS CEDEX 20 FRANCE TEL. 33 (1) 56 06 20 00 • FAX 33 (1) 56 06 21 99 2 Introduction:The INED research on homelessness (1993-2008) The research on homeless people undertaken by INED began as a part of the larger project dealing with the victims of housing exclusion conducted by the 'homelessness' group of the Conseil National de l'Information Statistique (CNIS, 1996). This research is centred on two quantitative sample surveys to which are added a number of other quantitative and qualitative investigations. The surveys were carried out by the Service des Enquêtes et de l'Observation of INED and are a major methodological innovation in that they led to development of a method for obtaining a representative sample of homeless users of shelters and soup kitchen services. The survey is an adaptation to the French context of the surveys conducted for a number of years in the United States at local and national levels. CNIS and the development of French quantitative research on the homeless CNIS (Conseil National de l'Information Statistique - National Council for Statistical Information) provides a forum for providers and users of official statistics. As coordinator of the French government's statistical activities, it prepares a medium-term program and, within that framework, an annual program incorporating all available data.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on Significance of Backwater Tourism and Safe Houseboat
    Munich Personal RePEc Archive A Study on Significance of Backwater Tourism and Safe Houseboat Operation in Kerala Jose, Jiju and Aithal, Sreeramana College of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India 4 August 2020 Online at https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/102871/ MPRA Paper No. 102871, posted 13 Sep 2020 20:03 UTC A Study on the Significance of Backwater Tourism and Safe Houseboat Operations in Kerala Jiju Jose* & P. S. Aithal** *Research Scholar, College of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India E-mail : [email protected] **Professor, College of Management & Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India E-mail : [email protected] August 2020 ABSTRACT The Backwaters of Kerala are historically important. The backwaters and interconnecting navigable canals have made a number of rural tourism destinations with matchless beauty. These backwater systems were once Kerala’s own trade highways. The major component of backwater tourism is houseboat cruising. The State has sensed the potential of backwater tourism in nowadays. Mass tourism movement in this sector caused for the multidimensional impacts on the economic, socio-cultural and bio-physical environment. Being an Eco-tourism product, backwater tourism needs sustainable and responsible tourism practice. Considering the need for the sustenance of the houseboat operation as a unique tourism product, it is mandatory to ensure the quality of facilities and services. In this paper, the researcher is trying to focus on the importance of backwater tourism in Kerala. Also giving special attention to identify various aspects of safe houseboat operations and the issues related. The major issues related to houseboat operation are lack of infrastructure, issues of licensing, issues of safety, environmental issues, and lack of quality services.
    [Show full text]
  • The Changing Profiles of Homeless People
    EN_2004WG2_People 29/04/05 14:20 Page 1 European Observatory on Homelessness ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN EUROPE The series ‘Addressing Homelessness in Europe’ is the result of the work of the three thematic research groups of FEANTSA’s European Observatory on Homelessness that have been set up to cover the following themes: ■ The changing role of the state ■ The changing profiles of homeless people ■ The changing role of service provision The changing profiles of homeless people: Homelessness in the Written Press: a Discourse Analysis is based on five articles produced by the National Correspondents of the European Observatory on Homelessness. The full articles can be downloaded from FEANTSA’s website www.feantsa.org The changing profiles The work of FEANTSA’s European Observatory on Homelessness is supported financially by the European Commission. of homeless people: Homelessness in the Written Press: ISBN: 907552935X a Discourse Analysis Henk Meert, Pedro Cabrera, Ivan Christensen, Inger Koch-Nielsen, Roland Maas and Elisabeth Maurel November 2004 European Federation of National Associations Working with the Homeless Fédération Européenne d'Associations Nationales Travaillant avec les Sans-Abri 194, Chaussée de Louvain ■ 1210 Brussels ■ Belgium ■ Tel.: + 32 2 538 66 69 ■ Fax: +32 2 539 41 74 ■ [email protected] ■ www.feantsa.org European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless European Observatory on Homelessness ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN EUROPE The changing profiles of homeless people: Homelessness in the Written Press: a Discourse Analysis By Henk Meert, Pedro Cabrera, Ivan Christensen, Inger Koch-Nielsen, Roland Maas and Elisabeth Maurel November 2004 European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless European Observatory on Homelessness The changing profiles of homeless people- Homelessness in the Written Press Contents Introduction: Discourse analysis and the societal dimension of constructing profiles of the homeless ......
    [Show full text]
  • Freddie Mac Condominium Unit Mortgages
    Condominium Unit Mortgages For all mortgages secured by a condominium unit in a condominium project, Sellers must meet the requirements of the Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide (Guide) Chapter 5701 and the Seller’s other purchase documents. Use this reference as a summary of Guide Chapter 5701 requirements. You should also be familiar with Freddie Mac’s Glossary definitions. Freddie Mac-owned No Cash-out Refinances For Freddie Mac-owned “no cash-out” refinance condominium unit mortgages, the Seller does not need to determine compliance with the condominium project review and eligibility requirements if the condominium unit mortgage being refinanced is currently owned by Freddie Mac in whole or in part or securitized by Freddie Mac and the requirements in Guide Section 5701.2(c) are met. Condo Project Advisor® Condo Project Advisor® is available by request and accessible through the Freddie Mac Loan Advisor® portal. Condo Project Advisor allows Sellers to easily request unit-level waivers for established condominium projects that must comply with the project eligibility requirements for established condominium projects set forth in Guide Section 5701.5 as well as all other applicable requirements in Guide Chapter 5701. Sellers can: ▪ Submit, track and monitor waiver requests ▪ Request multiple category exceptions in each waiver request ▪ Obtain representation and warranty relief for each approved waiver. COVID-19 Response Notice: Visit our COVID-19 Resources web page for temporary guidance related to Condominium Project reviews and for credit underwriting and property valuations. Note: A vertical revision bar " | " is used in the margin of this quick reference to highlight new requirements and significant changes.
    [Show full text]
  • European Journal of Homelessness
    European Observatory on Homelessness European Observatory on Homelessness European Journal European Journal of Homelessness Homelessness of Homelessness The European Journal of Homelessness provides a critical analysis of policy and practice on homelessness in Europe for policy makers, practitioners, researchers and academics. The aim is to stimulate debate on homelessness and housing exclusion at the Journalof European level and to facilitate the development of a stronger evidential base for policy development and innovation. The journal seeks to give international exposure to significant national, regional and local developments and to provide a forum for comparative analysis of policy and practice in preventing and tackling home- lessness in Europe. The journal will also assess the lessons for European Europe which can be derived from policy, practice and research from elsewhere. European Journal of Homelessness is published twice a year by FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless. An electronic version can be down- loaded from FEANTSA’s website www.feantsaresearch.org. FEANTSA works with the European Commission, the contracting authority for the four-year partnership agreement under which this publication has received funding. The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. ISSN: 2030-2762 (Print) n 2030-3106 (Online) Volume 10, No. 3 _ 2016 10th Anniversary Issue n European Federation of National Associations Working with the Homeless AISBL Fédération Européenne d’Associations Nationales Travaillant avec les Sans-Abri AISBL 194, Chaussée de Louvain n 1210 Brussels n Belgium Tel.: + 32 2 538 66 69 n Fax: + 32 2 539 41 74 Issue Anniversary th [email protected] n www.feantsaresearch.org 10 Volume 10, No.
    [Show full text]
  • A Survey of Homelessness Laws
    The Forum September 2020 Is a House Always a Home?: A Survey of Homelessness Laws Marlei English J.D. Candidate, SMU Dedman School of Law, 2021; Staff Editor for the International Law Review Association Find this and additional student articles at: https://smulawjournals.org/ilra/forum/ Recommended Citation Marlei English, Is a House Always a Home?: A Survey of Homelessness Laws (2020) https://smulawjournals.org/ilra/forum/. This article is brought to you for free and open access by The Forum which is published by student editors on The International Law Review Association in conjunction with the SMU Dedman School of Law. For more information, please visit: https://smulawjournals.org/ilra/. Is a House Always a Home?: A Survey of Homelessness Laws By: Marlei English1 March 6, 2020 Homelessness is a plague that spares no country, yet not a single country has cured it. The type of legislation regarding homelessness in a country seems to correlate with the severity of its homelessness problem. The highly-variative approaches taken by each country when passing their legislation can be roughly divided into two categories: aid-based laws and criminalization laws. Analyzing how these homelessness laws affect the homeless community in each country can be an important step in understanding what can truly lead to finding the “cure” for homelessness rather than just applying temporary fixes. I. Introduction to the Homelessness Problem Homelessness is not a new issue, but it is a current, and pressing issue.2 In fact, it is estimated that at least 150 million individuals are homeless.3 That is about two percent of the population on Earth.4 Furthermore, an even larger 1.6 billion individuals may be living without adequate housing.5 While these statistics are startling, the actual number of individuals living without a home could be even larger because these are just the reported and observable numbers.
    [Show full text]
  • THE CULTURE of HOMELESSNESS: an Ethnographic Study
    THE CULTURE OF HOMELESSNESS: An ethnographic study Megan Honor Ravenhill London School of Economics PhD in Social Policy UMI Number: U615614 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U615614 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 I V|£:S H S f <§195 I O I S S 4 -7 ABSTRACT The thesis argues that homelessness is complex and synergical in nature. It discusses the life events and processes that often trigger, protect against and predict the likelihood of someone becoming homeless (and/or roofless). It argues, that people’s routes into homelessness are complex, multiple and interlinked and are the result of biographical, structural and behavioural factors. This complexity increases with the age of the individual and the duration of their rooflessness. The thesis explores the homeless culture as a counter-culture created through people being pushed out of mainstream society. It argues, that what happened to people in the past, created the nature of the homeless culture. Furthermore it is argued that any serious attempt at resettling long-term rough sleepers needs to consider what it is that the homeless culture offers and whether or how this can be replicated within housed society.
    [Show full text]